Ekiti PDP Figure Pressures Makinde to Detail Accomplishments for 2027

Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, has challenged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to highlight his governance track record and leadership credentials for the 2027 presidential contest, rather than emphasizing youthfulness.

Dr. Oluyede, who founded the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA), criticized Governor Makinde’s recent focus on physical fitness as a key campaign point. He asserted that Nigeria requires demonstrated leadership, extensive political experience, and verifiable accomplishments, not arguments based on age. Governor Makinde, the presidential flagbearer for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had declared at his party’s South-West town hall meeting in Akure last Thursday that his campaign would prioritize energy and stamina over age.

“While I will not make age an issue of this campaign, I will make energy, having energy, being able to stay up late, have the rigours, have the energy to deal with the challenges that we are faced with as a country. So please, when they bring their own presidential candidates, let the candidates come here and also jump down. If they can do that, vote for them,” Makinde was quoted as saying.

Responding in a statement issued from Ado Ekiti on Friday, Oluyede maintained that leadership ought to be evaluated based on performance and achievements, rather than age. “Leadership is not about how young or energetic you claim to be. It is about what you have achieved, the institutions you have built, the people you have empowered and the political legacy you are leaving behind,” he stated.

He further urged, “If Governor Makinde believes he is prepared to lead Nigeria, he should show Nigerians his record and allow them to assess it against the responsibilities he seeks to assume.” Oluyede stressed that mere youthfulness without tangible results does not constitute leadership, and being young, by itself, is not a testament to leadership capacity. He argued that youthful vigor must translate into concrete achievements and responsible governance, cautioning Nigerians against prioritizing age over experience, policy depth, sound judgment, and proven performance.

“The presidency demands more than physical stamina; it requires the capacity to manage a complex economy, address security challenges, strengthen public institutions and provide a clear direction for national development,” Oluyede added.

The OPARHA founder also took issue with Makinde’s comments, which he perceived as drawing comparisons between President Bola Tinubu’s age and physical strength. Oluyede contended that President Tinubu’s political journey exemplifies the significance of strategic thinking, organizational prowess, resilience, and the establishment of enduring institutions.

He highlighted, “At the age Governor Makinde is today, President Tinubu was already governing Lagos State and confronting serious political and developmental challenges. Tinubu built political structures, navigated difficult circumstances and sustained a political movement that eventually expanded beyond Lagos.”

The PDP stalwart challenged Governor Makinde to move beyond discussions of age and energy, urging him instead to present a detailed account of his accomplishments, political leadership, and proposed agenda for Nigeria. “The ultimate test of leadership is not how young a politician is, but what that politician has demonstrably accomplished with the opportunities and responsibilities entrusted to him,” Oluyede reiterated.

Furthermore, Oluyede scrutinized Governor Makinde’s oversight of the PDP within the South-West region, suggesting that the party's electoral standing in the area should be factored into any evaluation of his leadership. He elaborated, “Political leadership requires the ability to unite stakeholders, manage internal disagreements, strengthen party structures and create a credible pathway to electoral success.”

Oluyede emphasized that anyone aspiring to national leadership must be prepared to answer for their management of political organizations and relationships, particularly when those entities face internal divisions and electoral setbacks. He specifically challenged Makinde to clarify how his leadership has bolstered the PDP’s position across the South-West and what concrete actions he has taken to address the party’s organizational challenges.

The OPARHA founder underscored the importance of showing respect for constituted authority and traditional institutions, advocating for political disagreements to be handled with restraint and an understanding of the responsibilities associated with public office. He concluded, “public figures seeking higher office should demonstrate humility, respect for institutions and the maturity to engage opponents without reducing political debates to personal comparisons.”

Oluyede insisted that President Tinubu’s record should be assessed based on verifiable policies and governance outcomes, just as Governor Makinde and other potential presidential hopefuls should be ready to defend their own records before the Nigerian populace. He stressed that the 2027 presidential discourse should primarily revolve around achievements and ideological stances.

In related political developments, it was reported that 24 state assemblies have approved the amendment for state policing, according to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Additionally, Senator David Umahi indicated that the South-East region would vote differently in the 2027 elections, citing President Tinubu’s projects in the area. An APC campaign spokesman also alleged that some ministers paid billions to secure their appointments.