The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has explained why he can’t accept the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum.
Makinde explained his position in Aba, Abia State at the commissioning of Nwaobasi Ring and Osaa Okea-Umuakatawom roads.
Recall that the Chairman of the PDPGF and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, had resigned at the Caucus Meeting of the party in Abuja last week.
Though this was not made official in all the party’s communications after the meeting involving the National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, Makinde was named as Tambuwal’s replacement.
But the Oyo State Governor was in Ahoada area of Rivers State with his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, when the decision was taken.
Makinde and Wike are members of the party’s Caucus.
But both of them stayed away over the continued face-off with the party based on the fallout of its presidential primaries that produced Atiku Abubakar as the PDP candidate for the 2023 polls.
Reacting to the development in Aba, Makinde said he is fighting for issues that are fundamental to the peace and unity of Nigeria and not appointment as Chairman of the PDPGF.
He said the PDP can’t restructure Nigeria if it was not ready to restructure itself.
In addition to this, he said he was not formally informed of the appointment.
He equally said he was not the right person to take the reins of leadership of the PDPGF even if Tambuwal resigns.
He said his host, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the PDPGF is the right person to replace Tambuwwal.
He alluded sinister motives in bypassing Governor Ikpeazu to give him the baton to lead the PDP Governors Forum, pointing out that the order of succession was not followed.
Makinde said: “Even if they give it to me, I will not accept it because there must be an order.
“Ikpeazu is the Deputy Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
“If the chairman resigns, the Deputy Chairman will take over the position.
“This is how to have an order in the process.”
The Oyo State Governor also pointed out that occupying the chairmanship position of PDP Governors Forum “is not what we are fighting for”, adding: “We are saying that if the PDP has promised to restructure Nigeria and we can’t restructure the party, then we are not ready to restructure Nigeria.”
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