•We Started Together, Disagreed On The Way
• I, Folarin Didn’t Want To See One Another This Time Last Year
The duo of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and Raufu Olaniyan, his former deputy today met for the third time since 2022 when the latter was impeached.
Though the matter is being heard by the court, the duo met at the burial of the mother of Ibadan-based award-winning journalist and celebrated columnist, Festus Adedayo, in Akure.
Before today’s meeting, OYOINSIGHT.COM authoritatively learnt that the duo had met previously twice after impeachment, the two occasions onboard aircraft to and fro Ibadan.
Makinde and Olaniyan, both engineers and fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, FNSE, had been elected as governor and deputy in the 2019 election under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Olaniyan, a retired former permanent secretary who hails from Oorelope local government, is now of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Wearing a sympathetic look and to the applause of the guests who had gathered at the Church, Makinde said that “I specially recognize my brother, my former deputy, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan. We started together but we disagreed along the way. But that is not the end of life.”
Before then, he had while greeting his contender in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin, jokingly said that “I greet my brother, Sen. Teslim Folarin, and his entourage. This time last year, we didn’t want to see one another as it was election time. January, February and March. We were abusing one another. Here we are today. The burial of the mother of our brother, Festus Adedayo, has brought us together,” he said with the audience clapping.
Thanking guests who had come from far and near, Adedayo, who was media aide to former governors Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu and late Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State at different time said “Sen. Teslim Folarin is one person I have written against severally. And I remember the day we met, I said distinguished you know I don’t like you. He said he knows. I said you know I have written against you severally. He said he has read them but wanted us to be friends. Thank you distinguished. I invited you and you came. I have the gut to invite you,” Adedayo added.
The trio, who were seated together with their host, later shared jokes and embraced once another.
At the event were former governor Olusegun Mimiko, Fatai Ibikunle, Babatunde Oduyoye, Fatai Owoseni, Tayo Koleoso and host of others.
