We Planned To Make Arapaja National Chairman, Governor Makinde Recounts G-5 Standoff with Atiku Over PDP Chairmanship
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has revisited the events that deepened the rift between the defunct G-5 governors and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the buildup to the 2023 elections.
Speaking candidly at a media chat, Makinde said the disagreement was driven by broken trust and unmet commitments.
According to the governor, the G-5 bloc jointly invited Atiku Abubakar to a meeting where they clearly laid out their plan to support Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja as the national chairman of the PDP. Makinde said the group believed the move would help restore balance and unity within the party.
He recalled that Atiku did not immediately reject the proposal, but instead asked for one week to consult and consider the request. The G-5, Makinde said, agreed to the timeline in good faith and waited for his response.
However, Makinde claimed that when Atiku eventually got back to them after the agreed period, the tone had changed. He said Atiku dismissed the group, referring to them as “small boys,” a remark that further strained relations and confirmed to the governors that their concerns were not being taken seriously.
Makinde added pointedly that the consequences of that breakdown were clear for all to see. He said the episode underscored how internal arrogance and poor conflict management can weaken party cohesion, noting that “he saw what happened next” as events unfolded during the election season.
We Planned To Make Arapaja National Chairman, Governor Makinde Recounts G-5 Standoff with Atiku Over PDP Chairmanship
Byadmin
Dec 23, 2025