Gbolarumi Attributes Rift with Makinde to Alleged Unilateral Succession Plan
Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, has publicly disclosed the reasons behind his falling out with Governor Seyi Makinde, attributing it to the governor's alleged intention to single-handedly determine his successor without consulting key party stakeholders. Gbolarumi made these remarks while hosting members of the Oyo State Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at an Iftar event in Ibadan, led by Chairman Mr. Yinka Adeniran.
Breakdown in Cordial Relations
Gbolarumi, a chieftain of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Nyesom Wike faction, noted that his relationship with Makinde had previously been cordial, with many residents expressing surprise at the sudden deterioration in their ties. He explained that the disagreement emerged when the governor reportedly indicated plans to announce a successor without adequate consultation with party leaders, despite Gbolarumi's own interest in contesting the position. According to him, this move contradicts established political practices within the PDP.
"He is expected to sit down with PDP leaders in the state for proper consultation on such a critical matter," Gbolarumi stated. "If you examine the composition of commissioners, special advisers, and local government chairmen, there was little or no input from party leaders."
Concerns Over Party Exclusion
Describing himself as one of the founding members of the PDP in Oyo State, Gbolarumi emphasized that the party provided the platform for Makinde's emergence as governor in 2019, with leaders accepting his victory in good faith. He expressed concern that the governor's alleged move to impose a successor could sideline long-standing party stakeholders, questioning, "Does he want to shut us out politically?"
Additionally, Gbolarumi criticized Makinde's frequent claim of having no political godfather, insisting that no politician rises to power without support from others. "I have told him that I do not subscribe to that principle. There were individuals whom God used in his emergence as governor," he asserted.
Call for Responsibility and Resolution
Gbolarumi maintained that speaking out was a matter of responsibility as a party leader, stressing that remaining silent in the face of developments detrimental to the party would be wrong. However, he downplayed the crisis, describing it as a clash of political interests rather than a personal feud, and expressed optimism that the PDP in Oyo State would soon resolve its internal differences. "For now, our faction is in control of the party structure in the state," he added, referencing the presence of newly inaugurated PDP executive members aligned with the Wike faction, led by Chairman Prof. Raham Akinoso at the event.
Earlier, NUJ Chairman Yinka Adeniran commended Gbolarumi for his continued support of the union and assured him of fair and balanced reporting on political developments in the state.
