Following Governor Seyi Makinde’s exit from WhatsApp platform by the Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his loyalists have also exited the official WhatsApp platform of the party in state as act of solidarity.
Recalled that LiveTimesNG had earlier reported that the governor left the group after a video calling on him to take urgent steps to save the people of Ayete town from incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen was posted by the Publicity Secretary of the Party, Akeem Olatunji.
The video was followed by a message from Olatunji, which read, “This video has gone viral but the authority need to confirm the claim. It’s very urgent to address the message.”
Reacting, the Governor, who described the person behind the video as “some idiots” questioned why he has to respond to it.
“Everytime some idiots makes (sic) a video, the government must respond… I don’t get it really… you need mature people to make meaningful contributions on your platform,” Makinde noted.
Before leaving the platform, he also questioned the relevance of a story shared to the platform about the ongoing membership revalidation/registration of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Meanwhile, the exit of the governor has been greeted with mixed reactions from highly placed members of the party in the state majority of who seem baffled by the line of action he towed.
Majority of the governor’s loyalist within the party have however also began to exit the platform.
It was however gathered that Makinde had initially told Olatunji, who is the administrator of the group to remove people like Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, Engr. Femi Babalola, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan and others not disposed to him from the platform.
It was also gathered that about two months ago, the Governor exited Oyo Pol/Eco Dev. Summit Whatsapp platform after questions were raised about some of his policies was countered.
Few days later, he exited another Whatsapp group, GSM Defenders, peopled by young party supporters who daily defend his actions and inactions. That was after he had said the comment, by one of the ‘defenders,’ is ‘quite shallow.’
It was however gathered that there is bid to frustrate the governor out of the PDP ahead of the 2023 election
The governor, in preparation for that, is preparing ADC for the 2023 election. He now meets leaders of the party regularly in order to lay the foundation.
Part of the plans is that ADC will be made to win some of the chairmanship and councilorship seats in the planned LG election.
Some of the prominent party members, loyal to the governor, who have left the platform in solidarity with him include: Basa Sarumi, Akeem Olatunji, Bisi Ilaka, Hon Agboworin, Hon. Dare Adeleke, Hon. Yinka Adeniyi and Hon Kehinde Akande.
Others are: Prof Daud Sangonyin, National Ex Officio Hellen, Benedit Akika, Hon arowosaye, Otunba Seye, Gbade Adeniran, Hon. Abayomi Oshine, Hon Kunle Yusuf among others.
