The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has declared its support for the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
They spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday at the emergency meeting of the leaders of the party from the 33 local government areas of the state.
Recalled that Makinde has since pitched his tent with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.
The five governors are demanding the resignation of Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP National Chairman as a condition for supporting Atiku.
The PDP leaders were led by a former minister of Mines and Steel Development, Elder Wole Oyelese, and Engineer Femi Babalola.
Dr. Wole Oyelese said Makinde was not speaking for the party in the state but speaking for himself.
He said PDP leaders would work and deliver the state for the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2023.
Oyelese said, “A good politician will not speak like that. It doesn’t mean anything if Makinde says he will not work for Atiku. He is on his own! It is an empty threat! If he said we should not vote for Atiku, who are we voting for?
We are too sophisticated for that in Oyo state. Makinde is a newcomer in Oyo State politics but we shall continue to work for our party.
“However, we are working for Atiku in a special way. My advice for any politician who wants to win in Oyo State is to come to the mainstream. Mainstream is the leadership of the party in the state.
“What is the position of Yoruba on this matter that Makinde is talking about? We don’t have a position. Pa Fasoranti is saying something and Baba Adebanjo is saying another thing. We are not having a position in Yorubaland. Our members remain steadfast and committed. This is our party and we cannot allow it to break down.”
Femi Babalola also said the governor is also guilty of the points he raised against the presidential candidate of the PDP.
“He that comes to equity must come with clean hands. As an Engineer, I analyze issues. The first question I asked myself was is it good for a northerner to take over from a northerner?
“Another question is, is it good for an Ibadan man to take over from an Ibadan man that spent eight years? So, for Makinde that benefited from such, why is he now antagonizing another person? He didn’t see anything that is wrong in that but when it is Atiku, it is wrong,” he added.
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