Raji Adebayo
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has declared that his political trajectory cannot be completed without a former governor of the state, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, saying Senator Ladoja’s governorship victory in 2003 prompted him into politics.
Makinde made this declaration on Wednesday when he paid a congratulatory visit to Senator Ladoja who clocked 80 years, who is also the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Makinde while speaking at Ladoja’s residence located at Ondo Street Bodija Ibadan said that it was Ladoja that midwifed the process that led to his emergence as governor in 2019.
The governor who said that he and the former governor may have some political differences, insisted that the former governor still has many things to offer the state.
He said Ladoja played critical roles that led to his emergence as governor in 2019.
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According to Makinde, “My political trajectory cannot be complete without mentioning his name. During the electioneering process in 2002 that led to the victory of Daddy, we formed a group that was working for him.
“Immediately Daddy won the election, the group also worked for some individuals for local government elections and they also won, then people within the group came to me that I can also become Senator, that’s how I came into politics. I was not into active politics until 2002.
“Daddy was the one that midwifed the process that led to my emergence as governor in 2019. He played critical roles. We may have some political differences. When I became governor in 2019, you were the one that midwifed the process.
“And I beg you that whenever I have offended you, I have begged you. We may have some political differences.
“This is not the only thing. And sincerely, we will re-align and there will be development. Today is a special day for me. Today is a special day for one of the leading lights in Ibadanland.
“So, we thank God. A lot of people may not know this, but I feel that whenever I have the opportunity, I will say it openly. You still have a lot of roles to play sir. So, we will continue to look forward to your leadership”.
