Crisis Rocks Oyo Labour Party Over Makinde’s Endorsement

The leadership of the Oyo State chapter of the Labour Party and its governorship candidate, Tawfiq Akinwale seems to be in a dispute over the endorsement of the state governor, Seyi Makinde.

Naija News reports that while the Oyo State chairman of the Labour Party, Sodiq Atayese and some other members have endorsed the second term bid of Makinde, who is running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akinwale insisted that he is not part of the endorsement because he remains the party’s candidate for the March 11 polls.

The state chairman told pressmen at the party Secretariat in Molete, Ibadan, that Makinde’s endorsement was in the interest of the people, and as such the decision was taken after a critical examination of his achievements.

Atayese, who maintained that Makinde deserved a second term clarified that Akinwale still remained the party’s governorship candidate and that all House of Assembly candidates of the party are still contesting their positions.

He said “We think the right thing for us to do is to come together and form an alliance with a candidate whose ideology and manifesto is similar to ours. Makinde remains the only candidate that will serve our interests.

“We as LP have decided to support Makinde with our structure across the 33 local governments of the state, we assure him of our support because he has distinguished himself as an outstanding Governor.”

However, in a swift reaction, Akinwale disagreed with the party’s position saying he is not a party to the endorsement.

Akinwale, who made his position known in a statement expressed shock at the party’s endorsement of Makinde.

He submitted that “I, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale hereby declare and reemphasise that I did not and will not step down for any candidate or party be it outgoing Seyi Makinde or any other person, my people, your support, efforts, and prayers have pushed us this far and I will not betray you all for any reason.

“I want to advise anyone planning to sell out the struggles, efforts, resources, time, and sweats of many of my ardent supporters and lovers of the Labour Party to quickly cancel such plans to avert the anger of God upon them.

“It is in your best interest, Sodiq Atayese not to attempt to sell out Labour Party in Oyo State. We will not allow any individual no matter his/her status within and outside the Labour Party shortchange us and the will of the masses.

“I remain committed to winning this election and by the grace of God and the support I have enjoyed so far, Victory is certain. The opposition have seen this sign of victory and that is why they are doing everything possible to manipulate and change the unchangeable God’s plan.

“This is an assurance that I, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale of the Labour Party will win the governorship election come March 11, 2023, by the grace of God and the support of all the good people of Oyo State.

“I urge you all to remain resolute with me as we enter d-day with confidence and assurance of victory. No man can stop God’s work, not even the Chairman of any party.
“This should serve as a warning to whom it may concern, any attempt to shortchange the sweat of innocent supporters of the Labour Party and TTA will be met with huge resistance by men and God, it is not too late for anyone who wishes to join us as we embark on the journey to return good governance to the people of Oyo state.

“We are watching and the world is watching. Labour Party’s victory is non-negotiable in Oyo State, no retreat, no surrender. We remain focused and ready to win come March 11, 2023.

“I urge all our supporters, party members, and lovers of TTA to troop out in mass on Saturday to vote Labour Party, this is where we get the crown, and here we will be crowned by God’s grace.”