Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has called on Nigerians to speak up in defence of true federalism, noting that the founding fathers, who negotiated Nigeria to be a federal system had foresight and that Nigerians should not allow the system to be derailed.
He stated this on Friday, at Re-Meritona Hotel, Abakaliki, venue of a birthday party and the public presentation of a book entitled ‘The Seyi Makinde Story: A Testament to Vision, Courage and Leadership’ authored by Ali Odefa.
Governor Makinde said he would consider it his biggest 58th birthday gift if Nigerians, especially the South-East, could speak up for true federalism and make sure their voices are heard.
According to the governor, the South-East must emulate Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, whose singular act of relinquishing the All People’s Party (APP) presidential ticket in 1999 changed the political landscape by ensuring that they contribute towards making the political environment competitive ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Makinde, who noted that he chose to join politics years back to ensure that his voice is heard, said Nigerians can no longer afford to be bystanders, adding that they must make up their minds to participate in politics and ensure their voices are heard with regards to true federalism.
He said: “Well, let me start by saying compliments of the season to all of us, and to wish us a Merry Christmas and a happy, joyous, and rewarding year 2026 ahead of us.
“I want to say thank you for arranging this. When they brought the kolanut, they said I should accept it. And Ali whispered to me that this kolanut understands only one language, and that is Igbo language. And I tried to think in my head, you know, what language would I speak to this kola? But eventually, I spoke in Igbo.
“Kolanuts are actually grown in the western part of the country. But the people that eat kolanuts the most are in the northern part of the country. And that brings me to my only message for today.
“Nigeria was negotiated as a federation. The people that negotiated that federation called it Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is because of something like this. If you go to the North, you go to the West, you go to the East, different cultures, in fact, different nations. And they thought, okay, so how do you have unity in that diversity? And they negotiated federalism. And that is the most important issue that we are faced with as a country today.
“I’ll be 58 in about six days’ time. It would be a great birthday gift for me if quietly we make up our minds to participate and let our voices be heard in calling for true federalism for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I am in Igboland. You have shown love to me in this state and throughout Igboland, every time I go out, I am always dumbfounded with the kind of reception that I receive in the South-East.
“You have demonstrated that we can actually have that handshake across the Niger. My brother, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, sent a representative. It is an indication of friendship and it is also an indication that the handshake is in the process of germinating and growing to an iroko status.”
Governor Makinde, who used the occasion to commend the Igbo people for the roles they have played in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, pointed out how Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s decision to let go of his presidential ticket in APP changed the political narrative in 1999, saying that the South-East must also ensure that the political environment becomes competitive ahead of the 2027 general election.
“At every turning point in Nigeria’s history, we have had the imprints of Igbo people. Cast your mind back at every point. I can only just go back to the recent turning points, because the democracy we are enjoying today started in 1999.
“In 1999, we were going to have a one-sided election because all the generals were on one side. The elite were all on one side. A single individual had drafted the constitution of all the three political parties. That was the environment we were in at that point. And there came a proud Igbo man, by the name of Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Abia State.
“He did something that made the political environment at that time become competitive. He gave up his presidential ticket. He was the presidential candidate of APP. He gave up that ticket so that there could be an alliance between APP and AD. They came together and they created a competitive political environment. Once he did that, nobody could predict the outcome of that 1999 election. The election actually went down to the wire.
“So, I am calling on my brothers and sisters, on this occasion of my 58th birthday, that you play the same role. Make our political environment competitive. I am not talking about A, B, C, D or E. No, I am talking about the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is God that gives power.
“As humans, we may have ambitions, we may have aspirations, but God’s will always override individual’s will. So, my message is Igboland and Igbo people have a role to play to nudge Nigeria towards the path of true federalism. So, that is what I am going to leave you with.
“People have been talking about 2027, but we have one calendar year, 2026, ahead of us. Let us do our part, play our role.
“For me, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the reception that I have received here.”
In her speech, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, said her boss asked her and other top government officials to attend to celebrate Governor Makinde on the occasion of his birthday and the book authored by an Ebonyi man.
She noted that the book on Governor Makinde contained a lot of experiences, adding that Makinde has a lot of admirers because he has been doing well in governance, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, education and other areas.
“You have many admirers out there because of the good jobs you are doing in Oyo State. In terms of infrastructure development, you are doing well. In terms of education and health, you are doing well.
“You are part of the governors we pray for everyday. If 80 per cent of governors are like you, Nigeria will be a better place. I always associate you with my boss, His Excellency, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who remains the best governor in this country.
“Today, we congratulate you and thank God for your life, because you have weathered a lot of storms, got a lot of experiences but you came, you saw, you touched and you conquered.
“So, on behalf of my boss, we say big congratulations to you.”
Earlier, the author of the book, Odefa said the book is, indeed a testament to the vision and courage of Governor Makinde, a man who has redefined leadership in the country.
He added that he authored the book as a mark of his appreciation to the Oyo State Governor and to immortalise him, just as he hailed his wife, Engr Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, for all she has done for him and his household.
The event had in attendance Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Mrs Makinde; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila; Enugu State Deputy Governor, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; Wife of a former Governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu; wife of the author, Chief (Mrs) Onyinyechi Ali Odefa; and Member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun (Agboworin), among others.