Gov. Makinde Speaks On Arapaja, Olopoeyan, Others’ Exit, Says He Won’t Compromise Oyo’s Interest

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he would not compromise the interest of the state to retain political associates, insisting that his commitment to serving the people takes precedence over personal and political relationships.

Makinde stated this during a media chat on Fresh FM in Ibadan, anchored by veteran journalist Mayor Isaac Brown, while responding to questions about the departure of some prominent political figures from his camp, including former national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has Taofeek Arapaja, and Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, amongst others.

The governor said he was prepared to part ways with anyone whose expectations or demands would require him to sacrifice what he considered best for Oyo State.

“When it comes to what is best for Oyo State, I cannot compromise. Even you, Mayor, if you will make me compromise on what is best for Oyo State, I am sorry, I will let you go,” Makinde said.

Speaking specifically about Olopoeyan, the governor explained that the politician had been away from his political camp at different times, returned at one point and later left again.

He described politics as a game of interests, suggesting that changes in political affiliations and alliances were part of the nature of the political process.

“Politics is about interest,” he said.

Makinde also recounted his political journey, recalling that he contested for a Senate seat and lost before later running for governor, a contest he also lost on an earlier attempt.

He questioned whether those electoral setbacks had stopped him from moving forward, using the experiences to illustrate his resilience and determination to pursue his political ambitions.

“When I wanted to run for the Senate, I lost. Whose money did I use? Did I die? I ran again to become governor. I lost. Did I die? No,” he said.

The governor further recalled that he had been using his personal resources to support people from an early stage of his life, adding that his experience in managing resources had shaped his approach to governance.

Makinde said his experience had given him a better understanding of resource management, maintaining that his decisions were guided by what he believed would benefit the people of Oyo State.

Reflecting on the political alliances that preceded his emergence as governor, Makinde said he came from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), while former Oyo State governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, came from the Accord Party.

He said they eventually came together with other political figures, including those who were already in the PDP, to form a political alliance.

According to Makinde, however, the alliance later experienced departures, including that of Ladoja and Senator Sharafadeen Alli, while several members of the PDP state executive committee also left the party.

He recalled that some of those who left had expressed confidence that they would see how he would fare politically without them.

“But what God will do, He will do,” the governor said, adding that subsequent political developments had become history.

Makinde also cautioned against assuming that age automatically translates into wisdom, recounting a lesson he said he learnt from his father about the need to distinguish between age and sound judgment.

He stressed that political associates would continue to come and go, but said his priority remained service to the people.

“People will come and go, but for some of us, serving the people is the goal,” he said.

When Mayor Brown asked whether anyone could leave his political camp, Makinde responded by singing a religious song expressing faith in God, assuring the presenter that God would not let him down.