James Hadley Chase is the Author of that popular Novel, An Ace Up My Sleeve.
Any time I reflect on the political trajectory of Governor Seyi Makinde, I saw that he is a man who always appeared to keep an ace up his sleeve.
In 2019, he humbled himself, pretending to be bowing and trembling before everyone who had one thing or the other to contribute to his gubernatorial ambition.
In the end, he emerged as the adopted candidate of a very strong political coalition woven together by the then H. E, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, now the Olubadan of Ibadan Land.
Before that time, Seyi Makinde was a serial loser in every election he participated in.
For 2019, deceit was the ace hidden in Makinde’s sleeve.
Immediately he became Governor, the once gentle and quiet Seyi Makinde showed his true colors.
He rubbished the agreements he made with most of the coalition partners and up till today, he kept maintaining that he has no godfather in politics just to downplay the contributions of certain individuals in his political ascendancy.
In 2023, desperation and betrayal were the aces.
Governor Makinde joined forces with the immediate former Governors of Abia, Benue, Enugu and Rivers state.
They formed the now decimated G-5. A Group of five disgruntled Governors elected under the PDP, who claimed to be protesting the emergence of the former Vice president Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023.
Their arguments on the surface were that they were protesting against what they called inequity and injustice within the PDP.
They claimed that the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023 ought to have been chosen from the Southern part of Nigeria.
You will recall that the former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, contested and lost the presidential primaries to Atiku Abubakar and the G-5 came into being after the primary election.
A former Senator from Kogi state, Dino Melaye alleged at the time that Nyesom Wike actually lobbied to be Atiku’s running mate and that he was rejected.
If you look at the arguments of the G-5 at the time, on the surface, it appeared reasonable.
Buhari, a Northerner, just completed an eighth years two terms.
One would have expected that the presidential candidate of the PDP at the time ought to have been picked from the South but here is the problem,
both the former Governors of Benue and Enugu states were appointed to head certain committees within the Party which were saddled with certain responsibilities that could have seen to the zoning and micro zoning of the presidency to the South but they failed to do the needful.
It was alleged at the time that the duo failed to do the needful because such a step would have favored the South East and Wike, their person, is from the South – South.
So, their assumed deliberate inaction resulted in the situation where the primary of the PDP to pick the presidential candidate was left open for all the zones to contest and as a result, Atiku defeated Wike and others.
Secondly, the PDP is not new to such controversies.
In 2015, a similar problem aroused and those who were disgruntled left the party to join the APC.
Sadly, in the case of the G-5, Governor Seyi Makinde and his ilks stayed within the Party and worked against it from within.
They publicly denounced the presidential candidate of the PDP and embraced Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
Until recently, Governor Seyi Makinde and former Governor Nyesom Wike were the greatest beneficiaries of that anomaly.
Seyi Makinde was awarded a second term in office and Wike became the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the APC Government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A couple of weeks ago, the names of the former Governors of Abia and Enugu states were amongst those submitted as Ambassadorial nominees.
Yes, Governor Makinde got a second term in office as a result of the betrayal of Atiku Abubakar but he lost something, he burnt all the aces left in his sleeve and with his other colleagues, they signed the death warrant for the PDP.
When they dined with Tinubu in 2023, they actually entered the room with the original master Chess player.
There is no way the PDP would have remained the same.
Honestly, I thought Seyi Makinde had made up his mind to follow the master, just like Nyesom Wike.
That would have been the best option for him but Seyi Makinde, the man who refuses to acknowledge the assistance he received from others, the one who has no godfather but would rather be the godfather, to stay under another?
Governor Makinde would rather be a King even if it would be over a desolate kingdom.
These days, when I listened to Governor Makinde and his followers trying to put the blames of the disaster befalling the PDP on the Federal Government of Tinubu, I always shake my head.
Which right thinking person would believe that?
If there are no cracks on a wall, could a lizard found a space to hide within the wall?
Did Tinubu just stroll into the PDP and started a fire?
Did some people not prioritize pride, ego and greed over and above the collective interest of the PDP in 2023?
Why is it that out of the five Governors who created the G-5 in 2023, only Seyi Makinde is now left in the Party?
Most, if not all of the experienced politicians who are left with Governor Seyi Makinde are with him for personal gains.
The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has spoken the truth.
No serious politician who desires to contest an election in 2027 will stay in the PDP.
I read a report yesterday that the Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed is allegedly considering leaving the sinking ship called the PDP.
It was alleged that the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP rejected his overtures to join the Party.
Bala Mohammed had since denied the report but he was quick to add that it was his inalienable rights to join a political party of his choice.
I also saw a very funny post yesterday.
Governor Seyi Makinde was pictured in the Facebook post sitting all alone in a room and the caption elicited a burst of laughter.
The caption read, ‘ PDP Southern Governor’s Forum meeting ongoing, details later ‘.
Honestly, it was at that moment that I realized that only Governor Seyi Makinde remains as the sole PDP Governor in the whole of the Southern part of Nigeria.
Is congratulations not in order?
Is that exactly not what Governor Makinde wants?
Me, me! ( A femi, a femi).
At this rate, I won’t be surprised, if, before the new year, Governor Seyi Makinde remains the only Governor left in the PDP!
At that point, he must expect my warmest congratulations. His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, sole owner of the PDP, Chairman and member of the PDP Governors Forum, Chairman and member of Southern PDP Governors Forum and Presidential candidate of the PDP in 2027!
Fantastic achievements you would say!
Oh! I forgot. My bad. I think he might have a partner in 2026 if the people of Osun state are generous enough to elect his co-pilot in Oyo state, Seye Famojuro as their Governor in 2026.
Just yesterday, I saw a video of the young man called AYEDUN’ when he visited Seye Famojuro at home.
I felt serious pity seeing the fellow, prostrating and singing Seye’s praises.
According to him, whosoever is lucky to have Seye’s handshake is sure to get a car! ( Lori owo ipinle Oyo).
I will do a comprehensive piece on the gentleman and Seye at another time.
The rate at which some OAPs have decided to drag the journalism profession in the mud is seriously alarming these days and they will be the ones accusing politicians of embarking on stomach infrastructures!
Let me conclude my thoughts on Governor Makinde.
If you look at how the PDP was formed, those who formed the party and those who have successfully destroyed the Party, you will be sad.
Only God knows where Governor Makinde was when some prominent political Leaders across the Country gathered and made personal sacrifices to form and stabilize the PDP.
Words of our Elders… when a House is witnessing peace and tranquility, the black sheep within the House is yet to grow up they say.
As we gradually approach the next general election slated for 2027, it is obvious that Governor Makinde is cornered.
His primary concern is Oyo state and how to cover his tracks.
Obviously, he will be having his other eye on how to protect himself from embarrassment and prosecution after office.
Former Governor Fayose of Ekiti state alluded to that fact when he said Governor Makinde is trying to hold on to the carcass of the PDP to use it as a bargaining factor when the time comes.
In this regard, I think he has overstepped his boundaries.
Governor Makinde values his ego so much.
Will he be ready to sacrifice his ego to go back, tails between his legs and cut some deals with Tinubu once again?
Are the factors that made it possible for him to deal with Tinubu in 2023 still available within Oyo APC?
I think not.
If he is willing to let go of his pride, he would have a united Oyo APC to contend with and some of us will make a hell of a mockery out of him.
Will he approach the ADC that he and others have mocked before now?
Assuming the ADC eventually present Atiku Abubakar as its Presidential candidate, how comfortable will Governor Makinde be to work with him and vise versa?
From the look of things, the PDP is facing existential threats.
If the Party could not be redeemed, will Governor Makinde also take his rag-tag structure out of the PDP to another party?
Honestly, I would have loved that.
Isn’t Governor Makinde the champion of the masses who felt that he wouldn’t bother himself even if everyone defects to the APC excluding hunger?
I would love it more if Governor Makinde could champion the registration of a political party, the ‘Hunger Party’ and challenge Tinubu on the platform of the party.
Many times, the butterfly thinks itself a bird.
Only God knows those who convinced Governor Makinde that he is ready and matured to spearhead a National political movement.
Those ones are his enemies.
It is obvious that Governor Makinde lacks the integrity, experience, temperament and exposure to lead such a movement.
Like I said, Oyo state will be his primary target moving forward and I can see that he is planning to resort to deceit as his hidden ace once again.
He has begun to approve funds and award contracts as if he has just been elected into office.
Why now?
My focus in the next piece will be on this tactics.
Governor Makinde must know that the aces have all burnt up. They have been exhausted.
Deceit will no longer work.
Sola Abegunde.
