…Cites Wike-Fubara crisis

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has urged the electorate to reject what he described as Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s “third agenda” and godfather politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Aborisade, who cautioned Makinde against political arrangements built around godfatherism, urged the governor and the electorate to learn from the prolonged political crisis between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking on his political journey and the 2027 elections in a chat with The Guardian in Ibadan, Aborisade said politicians who emerged through godfather structures would become answerable to those who facilitated their emergence.

He said the crisis in Rivers State demonstrated the dangers of political arrangements centred on personal control and influence.

“Those brought in by godfathers are answerable to the godfather. That is why Rivers State has not witnessed peace,” he said.

Makinde is backing Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi as the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in the 2027 Oyo State election. Aborisade urged the Oyo State electorate to reject godfatherism.

The ADC chieftain said his involvement in politics was driven by his desire to serve the people, alleviate poverty and make meaningful impact on society.

“I came to politics to serve, alleviate poverty and make impact,” he said, lamenting the hardship and economic challenges confronting Nigerians.

Aborisade said he was deeply rooted in grassroots politics, noting that his father was a grassroots politician in Ibadan.

He recalled his involvement in politics dating back to the days of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as well as his participation in the struggle against the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

He identified the late Chief Bola Ige as one of his political mentors and said he had been associated with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and progressive political movements.

Describing the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his political mentor, Aborisade said the former Premier of the Western Region remained a model of impactful leadership.

“Till date, nobody has made impact like Awolowo in Nigeria. He made a name for himself and remains a model,” he said.

On the 2027 elections, Aborisade urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and elect leaders capable of delivering positive change.

He warned voters against exchanging their votes and future for immediate financial inducements.

“All our people in Nigeria; vote those that will bring positive change as governors, president. Don’t vote because of money. Don’t send your votes and birth rights in exchange for money,” he said.

Aborisade also explained his support for the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Dr Gbemileke Alagbe, saying his decision was motivated by his desire to serve the people and contribute to the transformation of the state.

He described the Alagbe-Aborisade combination as “formidable” and expressed confidence that the ADC would win the 2027 governorship election and transform the state.