2027: Gbolarumi Accuses Makinde of Sidestepping PDP Leaders in Successor Decision

A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, has revealed that his rift with Governor Seyi Makinde began when the governor expressed plans to choose his successor without consulting party leaders.

Speaking during an Iftar gathering with members of the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ibadan, Gbolarumi, who aligns with the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, said his relationship with Makinde had been cordial until this disagreement.

He explained that the fallout occurred when Makinde indicated he would announce a successor without involving the state’s PDP leaders, despite Gbolarumi’s own interest in contesting.

“He is expected to engage PDP leaders in the state before making such a decision,” Gbolarumi said.

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Gbolarumi further criticized Makinde for sidelining party stakeholders in key appointments, including commissioners, special advisers, and local government chairmen.

He expressed concern that imposing a successor might alienate important political figures.

A founding member of the PDP in Oyo State, Gbolarumi reminded the governor of the party’s role in his 2019 victory, which party leaders accepted in good faith.

He warned that bypassing leaders could have serious political consequences.

On Makinde’s claim of having no political godfather, Gbolarumi argued that several individuals had played crucial roles in his rise to power.

He affirmed that the issue was not a personal feud but a matter of political interests, but expressed hope for the eventual reunification of the party.

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“For now, our faction is in control of the party structure in the state,” Gbolarumi submitted.

“Journalism is what we need to make democracy work.”
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“The duty of a journalist is to convey the truth as clearly and fully as possible.”
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“Good journalism is about results. It is about affecting your community or your society in the most progressive way.”
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“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”
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“The function of journalism is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
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