A veteran politician and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State, Alhaji (Dr) Ambali Moronkola Thomas, has said the growing popularity of Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, among residents and workers in the state will make it impossible for him to be defeated in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
The former Commissioner for education stated this on Saturday in Ibadan while fielding questions on Fresh FM ‘Political Circuit’ anchored by Mayor Isaac Brown, which was monitored by GOALPOACHER NEWS correspondent.
When he was asked to assess the performance of the Governor, he said, ” from my interactions with some residents, workers and traders in the state, they are pleased with his performance and prompt payment of workers’ salaries. His popularity will make it difficult for any candidate to defeat him in 2023.”
Recall in 2017, Dr Thomas had called Seyi Makinde a ‘Lilliputian.’ He added that he (Moronkola) would become the Governor of the state before Makinde.
When asked to lift the lid on why his governorship ambition failed to fly. He said, “some bigwigs in the APC told him to his face that he had the exposure, experience and necessary qualifications but didn’t have the financial power to pursue his ambition if given the ticket. Thomas said that was how his ambition was buried.”
Recall, Moronkola Thomas was the Executive Assistant on Political Matter to former Governor Abiola Ajimobi of a blessed memory. He cleared the air on the allegation that he worked against the candidate of his party, Oloye Bayo Adelabu. According to him, “when they inaugurated the campaign council, late Ajimobi was made the chairman, while the secretary and Spokesperson were appointed. I, as the Executive Assistant on Political Matter was not carried along, in fact, I was sidelined. I decided to keep quiet since they didn’t get me involved.”
“I really felt sorry for Adelabu because he was ill advised. I remembered the day he was on his way to visit a traditional ruler, while on his way to the palace, he was called and asked to turn back.”
“The council told him who and who he (Adelabu) should interact with and those he shouldn’t. As a matter of fact, someone who was a freelance On-Air Personality and got appointed by Ajimobi was among those who Ajimobi listened to.”
When asked if he is planning to defect to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Thomas said he doesn’t need to join any party before he could contribute his quota to the development of the State.