2023: I Have Been Busy – Gov Makinde Explains Absence As Atiku Flagged Off Campaign

Gov Seyi Makinde

Gov Seyi Makinde has revealed why he was absent at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential campaign flag-off ceremony in Uyo, on Monday.

The Oyo state governor stated that he was “busy” in Oyo state campaigning for the party.

He said this while answering questions from State House correspondents on Wednesday after the swearing-in of Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Makinde was among the missing PDP governors as Atiku Abubakar flagged off his presidential campaign ahead of the 2023 elections in Uyo on Monday.

Party members loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who Makinde identifies with, had vowed not to take part in the PDP’s presidential campaign if the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, refuses to resign from his position.

When asked if there was still a crisis within the PDP that made him not attend the presidential campaign flag-off in Uyo, Makinde insisted he needed to be in Oyo rather than Uyo.

“I have been busy at home in Oyo State campaigning for everybody.

“Uyo is not where I need to put the votes together. It is in Oyo; so I stayed in Oyo,” he said.