Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has distanced himself from a purported claim that he is nursing the ambition of succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Governor Makinde said this in a statement made available to journalists by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa.
Governor Makinde became the governor of Oyo state on May 29, 2019, but has insisted that he has no ambition to become the president of Nigeria in 2023.
Adisa, in the statement issued on behalf of the governor, on Monday, urged members of the public to disregard a banner advert claiming that Governor Makinde would be running for the highest office in the land in 2023.
He described the sponsors of the news as ‘detractors’, noting that such people were aiming to distract the people of the Oyo state.
He added that it was unthinkable that the governor who has cautioned his supporters against mounting a second-term campaign for him, would launch a 2023 presidential campaign at this period.
According to Adisa, “This is clearly the antics of purveyors of social media lapdogs, who are merely seeking to distract well-meaning people of Oyo state from the joy occasioned by the well-deserved promotion, to the Premier League, of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).
“We believe that this fraudulent post alluded to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde is the handiwork of opposition elements, as APC’s social media lapdogs widely posted the fake news on their social media accounts.
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“It is the usual practice of naysayers and detractors to seek to mix sour grapes in the basket of fruits, at a time when well-meaning citizens are celebrating.
“Let it be stated clearly, however, that Governor Makinde has no hand in any such campaign for the Presidency, as he has always stated that tomorrow only belongs to God.
“It is unthinkable that the governor, who has cautioned supporters against mounting a second-term campaign for him, would launch a 2023 presidential campaign at this period.
“Therefore, we urge members of the public to ignore the fake news and see it as the shenanigans of a distressed opposition, which continues to show its desperation to retake power at all cost.”