Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Monday, said out of the three major candidates who contested the 2023 Presidential election, only Alhaji Atiku Abubakar hasn’t commiserated with the state government, victims and their families over the Bodija explosion.
Governor Makinde made this known while receiving the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, on a condolence visit to him in his office.
The governor disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had called to commiserate with him and the victims of the Bodija explosions, adding that it is now time for leaders to know that there’s time for politics.
”I want to thank you especially for the visit. Out of the three major candidates who contested the 2023 election, only Atiku Abubakar hasn’t called to commiserate the state,” he said.
Makinde added, “I am saying this openly so that our leaders will know that we have time for politics.”
The governor noted that it was “insensitive” for Atiku not to offer any condolences or even acknowledge the tragedy, saying his silence sends a troubling message about his character and judgement.
Speaking with journalists after the visit on the economic situation in the country, Makinde advocated a cut in the cost of governance at the federal level as necessary sacrifice to move the country forward.
“All of us are now involved and all of us should work hard and make the necessary sacrifice to see that we turn around the situation and that is why it is necessary when things that happened here happened and the government responding in a manner government should respond and everybody comes to participate and commend them for doing the right thing.
“It is a matter of sacrifice, today, elections are over, governance is the key thing and what is required for me, is to cut down on the cost of governance especially at the federal level.
“It is unacceptable the way it is going, we need to prioritise critical areas such as education, health and pulling people out of poverty.”
