*says Makinde empty political threats
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Elder Wole Oyelese on Wednesday, expressed optimism that the party’s Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will win in Oyo State without Governor Seyi Makinde campaigning for him in the general elections.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Elder Oyelese who also doubles as the Oyo State Chairman of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Committee pointed out that the governor’s recent pronouncement during a live programme on Fresh FM, 105.9 Ibadan that he may not support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar unless the PDP leadership does the needful is an empty political threat.
According to Elder Oyelese, PDP leaders and members in and across Oyo State are fully in support of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential candidacy and that the governor cannot be speaking the minds of entire PDP members in the state.
“A good politician would not speak like that. For Makinde to say he would not work for Atiku doesn’t mean anything. 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”, he said
The PDP leader added, ” Makinde is a new comer in Oyo State politics but we shall continue to work for our party. However, we are working for Atiku in a special way. My advise for any politician who wants to win in Oyo State is to come to mainstream. Mainstream is the leadership of the party in the state”.
Elder Oyelese stressed further on the presence of Oyo State Deputy governor in Akure at the Afenifere leaders parley with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that, ” what is the position of Yoruba on this matter that Makinde is talking about?
“We don’t have a position. Fasoranti is saying something and baba Adebanjo is saying another thing. We are not having a position in Yoruba land. Our members should remain steadfast and committed. This is our party and we cannot allow it to breakdown.”
The PDP leader said It will be wrong for Governor Makinde to be saying he may not support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the Presidential election based on some reason and that he will be campaigning for his reelection alone. That is nothing but an empty political threat which cannot stand,”
Elder Oyelese emphasized that even in his 2019 election, it was some PDP leaders that worked day and night for him to emerged as the governor, saying, ” how can he be saying that, it is just am empty threat from him”, saying, the entire PDP members in Oyo state are determined to vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the February 2023 Presidential election and as well work for his victory in the general elections.
