Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed the reasons behind his absence at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign rally to canvass support for the party’s candidate in the September 21, 2024, governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, and his deputy, Osarodion Ogie.

PDP chieftains, including Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, September 14, stormed Benin, the Edo State capital, to woo voters ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Ifeanyi Okowa, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Iliya Damagum, and governors of the party were also part of the campaign trail.

Speaking during the groundbreaking of the upgrading of Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan to an international airport in the Oyo State capital on Wednesday, September 18, Makinde said he had already scheduled meetings in Finland and Sweden before the date of the campaign rally was announced.

NAF begins airlifting of INEC materials for Edo election

The governor further declared that he was 100 per cent with Ighodalo and urged the people of Edo State to vote for him as their new governor.

Makinde also assured Damagum of his support to reposition the party, saying he would support whatever decision the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) would take to reposition the party.

He said: “Even if we have issues among ourselves, I don’t think this is the right time to fight.

“We have an important election on Saturday in Edo State and we should just rally around and deliver our candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo.”

The Star