As I mulled over what to write this week amid welter of interesting topics; one particular intriguing issue got me thinking. And because it’s the last edition for this month, I felt wrapping up with a political comparison between the state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won’t be bad. In a way, and as I ruminated over these two Political leaders, there seems to me a clear connection both in their personal and professional trajectory.
And today, Governor Seyi Makinde stands gingerly in the same precarious situation ex Governor BAT found himself in 2003 when his colleagues from the Alliance for Democracy were booted out of office by the political bulldozer of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In an epic battle for political survival and relevance, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu fought relentlessly against the PDP federal might – and won. I am thinking of what GSM could have gained from BAT plethora of political tactics, strategies, and hacks had he visited the Governor emeritus of Lagos in bourdillion alongside his counterparts from the region.
Recall South West Governors held a meeting in Lagos on the 27th of October, 2021 after which they resolved to pay a visit to the National Leader of APC who had just returned from his month long medical trip to London. The Governor of Ondo, who’s also the forum chairman, Rotimi Akeredolu, his Lagos and Osun counterparts Babajide Sanwolu and Gboyega Oyetola were present while Oyo state Governor was represented by his deputy, Engineer Raufu Olaniyan. Reports revealed that Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi was in Port Harcourt for a function. Addressing Newsmen, Rotimi Akeredolu disclosed that it is incumbent on the South West Governors to pay homage to the National leader of APC particularly in the region and Nigeria in general.
In 2003 and for the first time, Oyo state Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde entered into the murky water of politics, away from his engineering job. His party: PDP. And his ambition: Oyo south senatorial district. At that same time, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had perfected plan to turn the political wheel of his region, the south west. And to do that, report says he held series of meetings with then state Governors who were members of now obscure Alliance for Democracy over his re-election bid. Alhaji Lamidi Adeshina, was at the helm in Oyo, Chief Bisi Akande was in Osun, Aremo Olusegun Osoba was in Ogun, Adebayo Adefarati in Ondo, Otunba Niyi Adebayo in Ekiti and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The Governors indeed lend a helping to their supposed brothers only to have themselves blame for that costly political mistake: they actually hoped OBJ would return same gesture by ensuring their safe landing back to power. In short, the political wheel got turned and PDP had its way in the region except in Lagos where there was stiff resistance to the political domination of OBJ’s PDP. And the man who resisted that incursion of OBJ was Asiwaju Tinubu. In a way, Tinubu held his way, maintained his stands and fought tirelessly till he was victorious.
Evidence of his victory is scattered across the country where his mentees are strategically placed in different positions of power and authority notable among which is the Vice President of the country, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Just like Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, being the only PDP Governor in the south west is also in that vantage position of writing his name on the scroll of political history by tapping into the political artistry and creativity of Asiwaju Tinubu. Of truth, the only way to do this by building an enduring Political structure and legacy which will transcend Oyo state and morph into a movement that will spread across other states in the region and the country entirely. As a billionaire Governor, cash, I think won’t be a barrier and as an easy going, quiet and reclusive person, his enemies will find it hard to predict. Which will make victory harder for them and easy for him. There is a clue in his Political showdown with former Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose over who becomes the PDP National vice chairman from the region. GSM quietly won against a gregarious Ayo Fayose!
I think it is not enough to be the only PDP from the region. While that may be quixotic, and unique in its way. I think allowing that uniqueness to slip off — will be pretty bad as such won’t etch the Governor’s name anywhere near those great Nigerian politicians whose ideas, ideals and exploits metastasized beyond their political base. This whole idea of being unique, different from others, ruling under a different party must lead to a worthwhile ending. Otherwise, it’s as good as nothing. Apart from being the only AD Governor in South West in 2003 and the only PDP Governor in same region 2019; one other area worthy of note between that time and now is the institutionalization of a body cleverly dubbed as Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in the two states.
In Lagos for instance, GAC is the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress. It decides who get what, when and how in power sharing and resource allocation. The business of GAC in short is: politics. But in 2019, GAC was imported from Lagos to Oyo state. Thanks to Governor Seyi Makinde. And today, that council dictates as it decides the political atmosphere of the state. It’s chairman, a former senate deputy chip whip Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola is probably the most powerful man the state. He’s the key to the the Governor’s heart. But what made GSM carved out GAC from PDP? Well, maybe he’s trying to play Tinubu in Oyo state. Or maybe he’s fascinated by the political deft of that man.
What about beatification of area boys in the two states? While Lagos area boys exemplifies by the refined yet crude NURTW continue to serves the political elites whims and caprices; Governor Seyi Makinde elevation of Mr. Mukaila Lamidi from backwater of authority to the frontline of power and revenue collection shows deep connection and admiration for perhaps ironically, Lagos ways of doing things. In a way, GSM could have gained a lot from visiting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the bourdillion than he could have gleaned from the pages of different Political books he’s been reading right from the inception of his administration.
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
