The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde has distanced himself from the purported declaration by the former Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, that the G-5 Governors have thrown their weight behind the 2027 Presidential aspiration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
In a report published in page 4 of the Nigerian Tribune of January 13, 2024, former Governor Samuel Ortom in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was quoted to have said that the G-5 Governors had declared support for the 2027 Presidential aspiration of President Tinubu.
Engr Makinde was also said to have stated that, discussions about the 2027 Presidential Election when the President is less than seven months in office is premature and inappropriate, saying further that his major priority is to provide good and quality governance for citizens and residents of the state, and not the 2027 Presidency.
According to a source at the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan Oyo State, it was reported that the Governor was shocked and embarrassed to learn of the purported declaration in the media, without any form of consultation or discussion.
The source who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that, one of the members of the G-5 Governors who was conspicuously missing in the said Port Harcourt meeting according to the Tribune report was Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
She further explained that the former Benue Governor was not speaking the minds of the G-5 members, but rather making his own personal remarks and not on behalf of the G-5.
She concluded that members of the public should disregard the declaration, saying that such an action would have been appropriate, if it was a collective decision of the entire members concerned and could not possibly be taken by an individual.
