Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has strongly responded to criticism from Atiku Abubakar’s camp and seized the opportunity to express his preference for visiting Aso Rock, where he can secure refunds for his state, rather than Atiku’s hometown of Yola, Adamawa.
This response was prompted by Atiku’s camp reacting to the frequent visits of former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Makinde to the presidential villa.
During Wike’s recent visit to Aso Rock, he was accompanied by his faction of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) known as the G5, which included Makinde. The visit to President Tinubu sparked discussions and deliberations.
In light of this, Daniel Bwala, Atiku’s campaign spokesman, took a dig at Wike, likening him to a bus conductor and implying that his influence would have a negative impact on the administration.
However, Makinde fired back at Atiku while launching the dualization of the 8.3km Akobo, Ojurin/Odogbo Barracks, Olorunda Abas Junction in Oyo State. He addressed the criticism by emphasizing the necessity of visiting Aso Rock to secure refunds for the state’s expenses on federal roads.
Makinde firmly stated that he would not be swayed to visit Yola instead.
“As I go to Abuja to see the President, I know some people have been saying that since the inauguration of the new President, I have gone to Aso Rock about four times within a week.
“Where do you want me to go? Is it Yola you want me to go?
“Well, I will continue to go to where they will be able to refund Oyo State the monies we have spent on federal roads. So, I will continue to go to Aso Rock to plead for a refund.
“So, Mr Chairman of Lagelu local government, as soon as I collect my refund from the Federal Government, you too come and meet me to have your refund,” he asserted.
It is worth noting that Yola is Atiku Abubakar’s hometown in Adamawa State.
Additionally, it is important to recognize that states often seek refunds from the federal government for their expenses on repairing or reconstructing federal roads. This practice has been in place since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
Under Makinde’s leadership, Oyo State has undertaken repairs on several federal roads, as reported by this newspaper.
In the PDP, Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential candidate in May 2022, defeating then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who finished second. However, the former vice president declined to consider Wike as his running mate, exacerbating the political crisis within the PDP.
Makinde is known to be a steadfast political ally of Wike, and together they formed the G5, a group comprising five PDP governors who oppose Atiku’s candidacy in the 2023 elections.
Since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Makinde has visited the presidential villa four times alongside Wike.
