For Governor of Oyo State; Engr. Seyi Makinde to have attained his current position, it took him several failed attempts. With consistency and his goal-oriented nature, providence granted his heart desirers making him the Governor of Oyo State in 2019. His story is an inspiring one most especially for those who have been trying to achieve their dreams but failed. His story teaches doggedness, consistency, sincerity of purpose and patience. If his story is well scribbled with some artistic element infused into it, expect a sold-out movie at the box office.
In 2007, Omi Titun as he is fondly called contested for the Oyo South Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to the People’s Democratic Party candidate PDP Kamoru Adedibu. In 2010; under the PDP, he aspired for the Oyo South Senatorial seat in 2011 but lost the primary election. In another attempt in 2014, he also targeted the Oyo State 2015 governorship ticket under the platform of the PDP, upon the conclusion of the party’s primary election, he was denied a nomination ticket. With self-belief and his will for a call to service to his people, Makinde however, remained true to his ambition and defected to the Social Democratic Party SDP, under which platform he contested for the Oyo State 2015 SDP gubernatorial candidate, but came out 3rd before eventually getting back to winning ways at the 2019 general election, where he defeated his closest rival and the All Progressive Congress APC candidate, Bayo Adelabu at the gubernatorial poll. Ever since that moment, the fortune of Oyo State has changed for good. Despite sheer criticism from all quarters, Seyi remains distinct in his approach to governance, by delivering all his campaign promises.
Ever since his swearing-in as Governor, he has been at loggerhead with Former Ekiti State Governor; Peter Ayodele Fayose over who controls the soul of the South-West PDP. The Cold war between the duo took the intervention of many party chieftain to reconcile them. To prove his political strength, at the just concluded PDP South-West Exco elections that held in Osun state, Makinde and Fayose sheathe their sword with the ballot box. The issue of supremacy was put to rest as Makinde’s backed candidate, Hon. Taofeek Arapaja, defeated the former governor’s Chief Eddy Olafeso in the contest held in Osogbo, capital of Osun State. Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo State, scored 343 votes while Olafeso, a former national vice-chairman of the party, got 330 votes. “The victory for Makinde is a big win. As a first-term governor who just spent 2 years in office, he single-handedly fought existing structures to install his people through the ballot. It shows that he is not only gaining the trust of his people but also getting the trust of his party men who went all out to make sure his candidate emerges.” A source said.
It’s quite important to note that Seyi and Fayose are brothers. No amount of media campaign can cause issues between the duo. “Behind closed doors, they have embraced each other. If Fayose’s candidate had won, Governor Makinde will also congratulate him. All is in the single motif to move the party forward.” A source further averred.