Concerned leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Itesiwaju Local Government Area have cautioned Governor Seyi Makinde not to be misled by the large turnout at the party’s general meeting held in Otu, Itesiwaju, on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the group during an interview with journalists on Thursday, Alhaji Fatai Aruna alleged that the crowd at the meeting was “artificially mobilised” by a governorship aspirant, Amofin Beulah Adeoye, to create an impression of widespread support.
According to Aruna, “Amofin Beulah Adeoye, a governorship aspirant from this council, mobilised non-party members from the ten local governments in Oke-Ogun to the meeting in Itesiwaju to show his fake political strength. We urge His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, not to be deceived by such theatrics.”
He also criticised the Oyo State PDP Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, for what he described as “undermining the democratic process” through his recent comments about stepping aside to allow a governorship candidate from Oke-Ogun to emerge in 2027.
“This is a man who has never attended any PDP meeting in Itesiwaju since he became the party chairman in 2021. Now, he suddenly appears and declares he’s ready to step aside for an Oke-Ogun governorship candidate. That’s not how democracy works.
” Leadership should be about fairness and due process, not selective gestures.”
At the Tuesday meeting, Hon. Ogungbenro had declared, “I’m ready to sacrifice my seat if all party stakeholders agree to pick a gubernatorial candidate from the Oke-Ogun zone in 2027.”
However, the Concerned PDP Leaders and Stakeholders insisted that the governor should “see through the drama” and remain committed to genuine party loyalty and grassroots engagement rather than “political stagecraft meant to impress the cameras.”
