Udom Emmanuel Clears Air on Rumoured Makinde 2027 Presidential Ambition
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has dismissed claims that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is nursing a 2027 presidential ambition.
Speaking with journalists at an event in Abuja, Emmanuel said he has never been informed by Makinde—whom he described as a close friend and colleague in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—about any such plans.
“Governor Makinde is my friend, a former colleague and one of the strong leaders of the PDP, to which I belong. I can say on my honour that Seyi has never told me he is running for President. If we are as close as we are and he hasn’t told me, then I suspect that people are just using that narrative as a tool of blackmail—either to weaken his role in rebuilding our party or to cause friction between him and the President,” Emmanuel said.
He further noted that while it is normal for any aspirant to consult stakeholders before declaring an ambition, no such discussion had been brought to his attention.
Emmanuel stressed that Makinde remains a loyal party man dedicated to the revival of the PDP, and that abandoning the platform would be “morally wrong.” He emphasized the need for political tolerance in Nigeria’s democracy, saying that both ruling and opposition parties must co-exist to strengthen governance.
Addressing his own low political profile since leaving office in 2023, Emmanuel explained:
“I had promised at the twilight of my administration that when I leave office, I will leave the stage for my successor and retreat to my private life and engagements, and that is exactly what I have done. That doesn’t mean I have retired from politics. I still share ideas with leaders across different levels. There is time for everything—time for politics and time for private life—and I’m abiding by that principle.”
His remarks come amid speculation about alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has dismissed claims that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is nursing a 2027 presidential ambition.
Speaking with journalists at an event in Abuja, Emmanuel said he has never been informed by Makinde—whom he described as a close friend and colleague in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—about any such plans.
“Governor Makinde is my friend, a former colleague and one of the strong leaders of the PDP, to which I belong. I can say on my honour that Seyi has never told me he is running for President. If we are as close as we are and he hasn’t told me, then I suspect that people are just using that narrative as a tool of blackmail—either to weaken his role in rebuilding our party or to cause friction between him and the President,” Emmanuel said.
He further noted that while it is normal for any aspirant to consult stakeholders before declaring an ambition, no such discussion had been brought to his attention.
Emmanuel stressed that Makinde remains a loyal party man dedicated to the revival of the PDP, and that abandoning the platform would be “morally wrong.” He emphasized the need for political tolerance in Nigeria’s democracy, saying that both ruling and opposition parties must co-exist to strengthen governance.
Addressing his own low political profile since leaving office in 2023, Emmanuel explained:
“I had promised at the twilight of my administration that when I leave office, I will leave the stage for my successor and retreat to my private life and engagements, and that is exactly what I have done. That doesn’t mean I have retired from politics. I still share ideas with leaders across different levels. There is time for everything—time for politics and time for private life—and I’m abiding by that principle.”
His remarks come amid speculation about alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Udom Emmanuel Clears Air on Rumoured Makinde 2027 Presidential Ambition
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has dismissed claims that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is nursing a 2027 presidential ambition.
Speaking with journalists at an event in Abuja, Emmanuel said he has never been informed by Makinde—whom he described as a close friend and colleague in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—about any such plans.
“Governor Makinde is my friend, a former colleague and one of the strong leaders of the PDP, to which I belong. I can say on my honour that Seyi has never told me he is running for President. If we are as close as we are and he hasn’t told me, then I suspect that people are just using that narrative as a tool of blackmail—either to weaken his role in rebuilding our party or to cause friction between him and the President,” Emmanuel said.
He further noted that while it is normal for any aspirant to consult stakeholders before declaring an ambition, no such discussion had been brought to his attention.
Emmanuel stressed that Makinde remains a loyal party man dedicated to the revival of the PDP, and that abandoning the platform would be “morally wrong.” He emphasized the need for political tolerance in Nigeria’s democracy, saying that both ruling and opposition parties must co-exist to strengthen governance.
Addressing his own low political profile since leaving office in 2023, Emmanuel explained:
“I had promised at the twilight of my administration that when I leave office, I will leave the stage for my successor and retreat to my private life and engagements, and that is exactly what I have done. That doesn’t mean I have retired from politics. I still share ideas with leaders across different levels. There is time for everything—time for politics and time for private life—and I’m abiding by that principle.”
His remarks come amid speculation about alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
0 Yorumlar
·0 hisse senetleri
·374 Views
