Oyo state governorship hopeful
The governorship election in Oyo State in the coming general election in 2019 will be interesting.
This is because, Engineer Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, who contested in the last election in 2015 under the auspices of Social Democratic Party (SDP) is returing with mor vigour and carrying on his shoulder exemplary leadership qualities that had been tested and trusted.
Makinde, born 25 December 1967 is a Nigerian businessman, politician and philanthropist from Ibadan, Oyo State. He is an Engineer and an expert in fluid and Gas Metering. He is the Group Managing Director of Makon Group Limited; an indigenous oil and gas companies in Nigeria. He established his first oil and gas private business called Makon Engineering and Technical Services, (METS) at the age of 29 in the year 1997, after earning years of work experience with international oil and gas companies.
Engineer Makinde’s coming into politics is not by accident. In 2007, Makinde contested for the Oyo South Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to the People’s Democratic Party candidate- Kamoru Adedibu. Makinde remained undeterred by his first failed attempt and in 2010; under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, he aspired for the Oyo South 2011 Senatorial seat but lost the primary to the incumbent Oyo South Senator.
In 2014, Makinde aimed for the Oyo State 2015 governorship ticket under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In December 2014, upon the conclusion of the party’s primary election, he was denied the governorship nomination ticket. Makinde however, remained true to his ambition and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), under which platform he contested for the Oyo State 2015 SDP gubernatorial candidate, but lost out in the end.
In September 2017, the Caretaker National Chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi visited him in Ibadan and following extensive, deep and wide consultations with National Leaders, Oyo State leaders and elders of the Social Democratic Party, and cross sections of strategic partners within Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde returned to his former political party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He maintained joining the PDP was not for personal gains but for the development of the State by finding lasting solutions to the array of problems facing the State.
As a Philantropist, Makinde is known for his philanthropic deeds just like his late father; Pa Olatubosun Makinde. He had made charitable donations and awarded scholarships to students across Ibadan, Oyo States and beyond. He donated E-library to his alma mater, and promised to build hall in honour of his father
It is no wonder to hear what a chieftain of Peoples Democratic party, Chief Sunday Ogunlade said at a forum recently that both politicians and non-politicians are routing for Engr Makinde to emerge as next Governor for Oyo state to save the state from maladministration of APC led government.
