There is apprehension among members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State over who gets what as governor ‘Seyi Makinde takes oath of office for a fresh term of four years this morning.
The apprehension, OYOINSIGHT.COM understands, cannot be disconnected from the fact that the governor, unlike before, has kept everything to his chest.
Barring any last minutes’ change of mind, Makinde may appoint some key aides hours after his inauguration.
Though some of those who worked with him during the first term would make the list, others who know the won’t make it have already moved on.
Only last week, the governor, few hours after returning from his London trip where the state has staged an economic summit, dissolved his cabinet.
This newspaper learnt that among positions being jostled for are Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff (CoS). Appointments are likely going to be made there today.
Said a close source who did not want name mentioned, “Unlike before, Oga hasn’t let anybody in about who he ia going to appoint. We know he will appoint some people between today and the next few days, but nobody can hazard a guess about who and who would make it. Should I say Oga is unpredictable? Or that people who he confides in fear not to talk to anyone for fear of being removed from the inner caucus? Yes, some of the dissolved aides are working with him but Oga, in his unpredictable manner, can shock them and made them wait till God knows when.”
In a chat with a top chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, he said though he cannot, with his full chest, say who would get appointments “but I know two of his former commissioners and someone who has served in like three capacities are eyeing SSG position. They are all from Oyo North senatorial district where the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal, comes from. One of them is from Ogbomoso while the two others are from Okeogun. In fact, one of them has been with the governor from childhood. The only ‘but’ is that he is from the same federal constituency with the deputy governor.”
“But for the cases in court, Makinde would have also liked to work with some of the national assembly candidates who did not make it. What I know is that he has names of their close associates with him. He is likely going to appoint some of them as assistants and advisers while some would be drafted to council and government agencies.
“I can boldly tell you also that known members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, would make the cabinet list as commissioners, advisers and assistants and many other positions as the governor may deem fit. You know Governor Makinde, he doesn’t care about what anyone would say,” said one of his top former aides.
Asked why Makinde would appoint APC members when he is in PDP, the source laughed, explaining that “You want to say you don’t know we are in APCDP? (laughs again). Anyway, apart from the fact that Governor supported the election of Bola Tinubu as president of Nigeria, he had collaboration with some APC leaders in the state. Though it may not be immediate, Governor Makinde would work with Asiwaju. You published how the APC national assembly members-elect attended the commissioning of Oyo liaison office last week. That should tell you something. I am telling you this so that you won’t be shocked when you start seeing APC members in Makinde government. Also, Makinde is likely going to nominate some of his people into the Tinubu government.”
