Makinde charges citizens to take back, reform Nigeria

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on residents of the state to leverage the 2023 general election to “take back Nigeria and place it on the path of righteousness.”

The governor reiterated that the February 25 presidential election would be like no other, as it is destined to usher in a truly independent Nigeria, warning the citizens not to vote with sentiments.

A statement, yesterday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor stated this at the Comfort Life Mission International, Ikoyi, Osun State, during its monthly 7-7 programme.

The governor urged Christians to take a firm decision at the polls to take Nigeria back and shine the light on the supposedly dark corners of politics, adding that with only two weeks to the presidential election, it is time for activism, rather than political correctness.

According to Makinde, the insinuation that politics is a dirty game; hence, Christians should abstain from it, had been unhelpful, noting that more Christians should participate in politics and governance to help illuminate the dark parts of the world.

The governor equally stated that his administration has, in the last four years, been giving back to the society and developing the state across the four pillars of the administration.

He described the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project, which is only about five minutes to the Comfort Life Mission headquarters, as one of the many evidences of his administration’s developmental efforts.

When completed, he added, the road would commute travellers from the Ife/Ibadan Road axis to Lagos in one hour and 10 minutes without having to go through the Ibadan city centre.

Makinde expressed confidence that with the prayers and support of Oyo people, he is assured of victory in the March 11 governorship election, because he was able to win in 2019 with the support of God and the people of Oyo.

He said: “My message to you today is simple. I know we, Christians, are passive when it comes to our involvement in politics because we believe it is a dirty venture, which is meant only for dirty, deceitful and ungodly people. Yes, judging from where we are coming from, there could have been darkness; but if we are to consider where we are going to, we need light.”

“We need gradual and consistent light to completely overcome the darkness. So, our participation can be likened to the light.”

On how his administration has been able to reposition the state in the last 44 months, the governor said: “In Oyo, I can say that, for me, it has been a journey of giving back to the society. One of the things that I know we are doing, which I also know will become a reality, is the Circular Road.

“The pastor said some people came from Lagos to attend this programme. I believe you saw the Circular Road, which is five minutes away from here, and the flyover that leads to the express road where this location is. What that Circular Road project means is, from here to Ojota, you can spend one hour and 10 minutes. So, that is the kind of development we have brought to Oyo, which we believe there will be continuity in the second term.”