Hannibal was the Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Carthage in their battle against the Roman Republic. ( The second Punic war of c. 211 BC).
Hannibal would forever be remembered by the Romans.
The statement, ” Hannibal is at the gates”, which in Latin, translates to ” Hannibal ad Portas”, signifies that a dire, existential or long-feared danger has finally arrived, bringing immediate panic and catastrophe.
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The statement originated from Rome’s panic during the invasion of Hannibal.
For Governor Makinde, at this point in the polity, only those who are deceiving him or, those whom, he, himself is deceiving, will argue against the fact that, ” Hannibal is at the gates”.
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Even though, Governor Makinde and his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP are saying that they are ready to enter into reconciliation with the Wike faction of the PDP, the latter has kept moving ahead with their plan to hold a National Convention between March 29 and 30, 2026.
Not only that, the Wike faction had conducted Wards, Local Governments and state Congresses in some States, Oyo inclusive.
Reconciliation is a two way process.
The only way genuine reconciliation could be achieved is when both sides are committed to the process in a way that will not put a side at complete jeopardy.
What I am seeing, presently, is a situation where the Wike faction keeps consolidating its complete hold on the system.
If at all, a reconciliation meeting would hold, in the prevailing circumstances, the Seyi Makinde faction are going to the table empty handed and might return naked.
If you ask me, Governor Seyi Makinde and his followers were not tactical in their approach so far.
Personally, what Governor Makinde attempted to do against Wike is akin to a Coup.
The only way for him to have survived was to have been successful in the attempt.
Failure was no option.
I would not blame Nyesom Wike and his Group.
Unlike Governor Seyi Makinde, Wike knows who he is playing with.
He understands his weaknesses and is not underrating his strength.
He has been methodical and clinical in the ways he has been laying out his army in the battlefield.
At this point, he knows he can’t afford to concede an inch in this battle of wits with Governor Seyi Makinde.
He is seeing that the noose is set and well placed, exactly where he wanted it and I bet, he will tighten it until he snuffed life out of his adversary.
So, who is telling me that Hannibal is not at Governor Makinde’s gates?
Wike, like Seyi Makinde is someone who loves to ensure that when he makes a political promise, he would strive with everything within his capacity to keep the promise.
He has declared interest in Oyo state.
” Mr Chairman, I am interested in….Oyo state”. “My interest is…Oyo state”, Wike had promised.
Immediately I saw him make that declaration, I told myself that Governor Makinde is in soup.
The conflict within the PDP has become a battle of ego between two individuals and unfortunately, Governor Makinde is not a match for Nyesom Wike.
The declaration of interest in Oyo PDP by the former Governor of Rivers state is not a good omen for Governor Makinde.
In all this, I am so surprised that some people in Oyo state still think that a magic will happen which will put Governor Seyi Makinde at the driving seat in the PDP.
I have been seeing the Billboards of gubernatorial aspirants with the PDP logo in Ibadan.
Truly, politicians are incurable optimists.
I agree that it is still possible for the PDP to be on the ballot for 2027.
The question however, is, whose PDP?
From the look of things, it is almost apparent that Nyesom Wike will ultimately triumph over the Makinde faction.
The direct consequences of that would be that Governor Makinde would require Wike’s approval to be able to nominate his preferred candidates on the platform of the PDP if he is not ready to leave the party.
Honestly, I don’t see that happening, or, will it?
That Governor Makinde would be forced to eat his words and go back to roll in the mud?
Governor Seyi Makinde who is now born again, would have to backslide and go back to his old habits?
For me, the whole idea of reconciliation and negotiation are just a face saving mechanism by the Makinde faction.
There has been a battle.
Winners and losers have been established.
The captured don’t negotiate, they beg and plead for survival.
Like I said, I have been seeing some Billboards with the PDP logo in town.
One of them stand out.
The Billboard of a former late Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s appointee who recently left the All Progressives Congress for the PDP.
He wants to be Governor of Oyo state under the PDP!
When I saw the Billboard, one of the thoughts that excised my mind was to ponder if it is not better to be a slave in Paradise than to be a King in hell.
May we not jump out of the frying pan to a fire burning with fury.
He left the APC, which, perhaps , to him was plagued with conflicts and neglect by Abuja and joined the PDP which he must have considered to be more organized.
Sadly, the PDP is now in flames while the APC keeps waxing stronger and enjoying patronage from Abuja.
By the time the Nyesom Wike faction finish with their National Convention, I think the day dreamers in Oyo would understand that the road in the PDP has been permanently closed against them.
The only way out for them would be to plead with Governor Seyi Makinde to drop his ego and plead for mercy from Wike and if he is successful, then, they might get some chance to, at least fight.
Hannibal is at the gates and Governor Makinde has eaten his words that he would be the one to name his successor by January of 2026.
Governor Seyi Makinde must be panicking and confused by now, just as the Romans panicked when Hannibal invaded their empire.
I hope our Dear Governor is not in ” sifia pain”.
It is interesting to also see that some funny fellows within the PDP have started campaigning for the Local Government election.
Only God knows how many hearts Governor Makinde would break before his tenure expires.
Is it not clear and obvious to some people that Governor Makinde is just creating unnecessary distractions to remain relevant and retain the loyalty of whosoever still chooses to be gullible?
There is a lesson I have learnt about life, while some flies know when to fly away from a corpse that is about to be buried, yet, some would stay put and follow the corpse to the grave.
May our fates not be like that of the flies that followed a corpse to the grave.
Sola Abegunde.
