Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has explained why PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s picture is missing from branded campaign vehicles in the state.
Goldennewsng reports that On the branded campaign vehicles parked around the governor’s house in the Ikolaba neighborhood of Ibadan, the state capital, Atiku’s picture was missing.
On Wednesday, Governor Makinde told reporters that the state campaign council does not have to put the PDP flagbearer’s picture on the branded vehicles.
The governor insisted that a politician’s choice of campaign strategy was fine and that no one could force a politician to alter his tactics.
He asked, “Is that the only place you’ve seen brand-name automobiles?
I’ve seen state House of Assembly candidates brand their cars with just images of others running for House of Representatives in their communities.
“You see, you can’t force them to put my own picture or the picture of someone else so that you can vote for him,” said “anyone that branded cars with his own money.”
Makinde revealed that the “G5,” or displeased PDP governors in Nigeria, have presented the party leadership with a reconciliation document.
The governor stated that those who left the party did so for political reasons and that efforts are being made to reconcile all displeased members in advance of the general elections in 2023. “I believe those that left the party, did so owing to their political ambitions,” the governor said. In preparation for the general elections in 2023, efforts to bring together each party member are ongoing.
“Obviously, we are connecting with them, while some are justified on dropping their aspirations to join back in the party,” Makinde said.
Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) were among the PDP governors who were upset.
