Following his dismal performance in the last governorship election in Oyo State, what does the future hold politically for the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the contest, Mr. Seyi Makinde? JEREMIAH OKE looks at the journey so far for the young electrical engineer.
AFTER his failed bid to govern Oyo State, what next for the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the last general elections, Mr. Seyi Makinde? He finished fifth, behind Governor Abiola Ajimobi, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of the Labour Party and Senator Teslim Folarin of People Democratic Party (PDP).
In spite of his enthusiasm, this is not the first time the maverick, young electrical engineer would fail to make impact at the polls. He has suffered many political setbacks under the current dispensation. In 2007, he contested the Oyo South Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but lost the seat to the PDP candidate, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu. In 2011, Makinde, who had defected to the then ruling party in the state earlier, participated in the primary for the Senate. But, he did not receive the nomination form from his party. In 2014, police raided his offices, which led to the arrest of several members of his campaign team. Makinde decried such arrest and described it as intimidation tactics against his election run. In 2015, he moved to the SDP, following his inability to clinch the governorship ticket of the PDP.
With his passion to help the poor and the needy in society, observers believe Makinde, would have done better politically if he had started from the grassroots. When he entered politics in 2007, he sought to go to the Senate, on the platform of the defunct ANPP. Similarly, he was contested for the senatorial ticket of the PDP in 2011. In spite of his unsuccessful bid for the Senate, he joined the race to govern the state during the last general elections.
From all indications, the accomplished electrical engineer is a political neophyte; considering how politics is practiced in Nigeria, especially in the PDP – the party through which he originally sought to govern the state. He has not been consistent with one political platform. He has also been overly ambitious; if he had started from the House of Representatives, in a bigger political platform, his political career would have blossomed.
A political scientist and Special Assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Gbade Ojo, said Makinde can only achieve his dream if he belongs to the right party. He said: “Platform is a big issue in Nigerian politics. Whatever Makinde wants to do, he should start from identifying with a party that has the structure and credibility to win elections. Secondly, he has to remain consistent, by resisting the temptation to jump from one party to the other.
“He has to start now and position himself, because permutation starts in the next one and half years. No matter how good you are, if you belong to the wrong party, you cannot win election in Nigeria. But, even if you don’t have experience in Nigeria and you belong to the right party, you will win election. So, the first hurdle for him is to identify the right party and become an active member. “
Similarly, spokesman of the Labour Party in Oyo, Mr. Oludare Ogunlana, urged Makinde to have a base and be consistent where he belongs. He said: “Makinde is a popular candidate. He has the potentials of even becoming the president of Nigeria. All he needs to do is to have a base and remain consistent. He is a young man and he should be more focused in youth development. Makinde is representing our generation.
“Belonging to a credible political platform is very important for any ambitious politician. So, he should work on his platform. Going by his performance in the last election, Makinde was able to deliver his ward, unlike Folarin who messed up his ticket. If Makinde had accepted his senatorial ticket, he could have won and that would have prepared him for his governorship ambition. Makinde is young, exposed, and vibrant. If he could move to a credible party; he is a future governor.
“Makinde should also mend fences with some of his senior political colleagues. If you want to win election in Ogbomoso, for instance, you must not fight with somebody like the former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.”
A senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, who pleaded for anonymity said out of the five factors that contribute to electoral victory, as far as the governorship election is concerned, Makinde has four in his disposal. He therefore urged him to work on the remaining one. The journalism teacher and political analyst argued that if Makinde returns to the PDP, he cannot achieve his dream of becoming governor in the nearest future.
According to him, the first factor is that the candidate must be widely accepted in his constituency and the state at large. Other factors are; platform (party) which he lacks, security agencies, electoral body, and financial ability to run campaign. He said if Makinde could run for the governorship on the platform of a credible party, he has the potentials of winning.
His words: “It is obvious that any credible party who presents Makinde as its flag bearer in 2019 will have it smooth. He is a good product, going by his antecedents. He has all it takes to become a winner.”
Makinde ran a peaceful and issue-based campaign prior to the last general elections. At a point, his campaign train met with that of one of his opponents in Oke-Ogun area. The electrical engineer cum politician merely stopped his convey to demonstrate his political maturity. In fact, he doled out cash to the political disciples and supporters of his opponent.
Besides, he has no political baggage in Oyo politics. He is loved by both the young and the old, for his generosity and his political diplomacy.
During the campaigns for last election, Makinde attended all the governorship debates. In almost all the debates, he did not engage in character assassination; he talked about what he has going for him and what he intends to do for the people. At one of such debates held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, he said: “I have empowered many people in my own capacity as individual and I think I can do more if they allow me.”
Observers say he is a successful businessman and a public-spirited individual. Makinde has this to say about his involvement in politics: “I’m looking for a new and challenging call to publicly serve and give back to the society that shaped me; one that will allow me to make the best use of my existing skills and wealth of experience in managing people and executing projects that would be to the best of the people”.
Though, Makinde is yet to hold any political office, he has proved that one doesn’t need to hold political offices to show concern about the less privileged. He has touched the lives of people in diverse ways. He constructed a block of three-classrooms for his alma mater, Bishop Philip’s Academy, Ibadan, which was equipped with information and communication technology gadgets such as computers and a five KVA generating set to power them.
Makinde also doled out scholarships to outstanding students from Bishop Philip’s Academy and committed a lot of money to the empowerment of less privileged youths and elderly people in the society. He sank boreholes at various communities in Oyo State. He procured medical equipment and dispensing of medication to the aged. He sponsored a medical team from the United States of America to help the people overcome their health challenges. He constructed gas-powered turbine to generate electricity for the people of Ajia town in Ibadan. It was inaugurated on September 17, 2011.
