As political activities dey hot for Oyo State ahead of 2027 governorship election, Governor Seyi Makinde Advisory Council (GAC) don begin interact with nine aspirants wey dey contest for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket. The exercise wey dem start on Saturday dey aim to give all aspirants equal chance to present their plans for the state.
Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, wey be chairman of the council, confirm say dem don meet with nine aspirants as of Saturday evening. He talk say the meeting no be screening exercise but na interaction to know wetin each aspirant get for mind for Oyo State. “Na interaction between Governor Advisory Council and the aspirants. We no want any form of imposition from any corner,” Ayorinde yarn.
Among the aspirants wey don appear before the council na Hon. Adedeji Olajide (Odidiomo), wey be member of House of Representatives for Ibadan South-West/North-East. Others na Dr. Nureni Adeniran (State Chairman of Universal Basic Education), Bimbo Adekanmbi (former Commissioner for Finance under late Governor Abiola Ajimobi), Debo Akande (State Chairman of Agribusiness Development Agency), and Adebo Ogundoyin (Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly).
Ayorinde explain say Governor Makinde approve the interaction to ensure level playing field for all aspirants. He talk say the governor want make all aspirants get equal opportunity to sell themselves to party stakeholders. “If governor no like am, he for no allow am,” Ayorinde add.
The legal luminary talk say the council no get power to disqualify any aspirant because na advisory body. Him yarn say their work na to advise the governor as listening leader wey dey interested in free and fair process. “We no dey screen or interrogate dem. We dey interact with dem to know their ideas, visions, and programmes for Oyo State after Governor Makinde,” Ayorinde talk.
Ayorinde also reveal say Governor Makinde go still consult other stakeholders like party chieftains and traditional rulers before any candidate emerge. Him talk say dem no want make person wey go emerge later no go acceptable to all stakeholders. “When we finish, I know governor go still engage all other stakeholders, including party chieftains and traditional rulers, so that person wey emerge go acceptable by all,” Ayorinde yarn.
The council chairman talk say the process don dey rigorous and the engagement don dey intense. Him describe am as their contribution to democratic development for Oyo State. “At the moment, nine aspirants don appear before council. Some more fit come tomorrow. This na our contribution to democratic development for our state,” Ayorinde add.
Political observers for Ibadan talk say the interaction na strategy to avoid crisis inside PDP as 2027 election dey approach. Dem talk say Governor Makinde dey try to ensure say the party present strong candidate wey go fit win election. The exercise dey happen as other political parties like APC dey too prepare for their own primaries.
Sources close to Government House talk say the advisory council go submit their report to Governor Makinde after finishing all interactions. The report go contain observations and recommendations about each aspirant. However, Ayorinde don emphasize say the council no dey rank aspirants or recommend specific person.
The development come as political activities dey increase for Oyo State ahead of 2027 elections. Many political analysts dey watch how PDP go handle the succession process as Governor Makinde second term dey near end. The interaction process dey seen as attempt to promote internal democracy inside the party.
As at Sunday evening, dem talk say the council don conclude interactions with the nine aspirants but dem expect say some more aspirants fit still indicate interest. The PDP state secretariat for Ibadan dey monitor the process as party leaders dey prepare for official primaries wey go hold later.
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