By Damilare Adeleye
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has hinted that he will declare his presidential ambition when he is ready.
There have been insinuations that the Oyo governor intends to run for the office of the president in 2027.
Speaking during a visit to Fashola farm in Oyo town on Friday, Governor Makinde said speculations about his political future are unnecessary and unsolicited, noting that he does not need permission to speak for himself.
“We didn’t host the PDP retreat because somebody has a presidential ambition. No comment, nothing. But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do,” Makinde told reporters.
“So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.”
He said his political success in Oyo was owed to the people, not a godfather.
“Oyo state people took a decision in 2019. We did not have a godfather. Nobody sponsored me, and nobody gave me a dime for us to get in here, but the people of Oyo state decided we wanted to give this opportunity to an outsider,” the governor said.
“And before that, you will see videos saying that, Oh, Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a councillor? No. Has he been to the house of representatives? No. What about the senate? I tried twice but was rejected.
“So, experience in politics – No experience in governance, but I’ve done well for myself in business, and they said we’ll give you the opportunity. Before that time, the whole of the south-west was APC, consisting of six states.
“But in Oyo state, we chose to be different. Because I had no experience, I wanted to convince the people.”
The governor urged Nigerians to extend the opportunity to perform to qualified candidates from other political parties and cautioned against the country sliding into a one-party state.