Some days ago, a peace pact involving presidential aspirants was signed in Abuja. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was among the very few aspirants who did not show up for the event, yet no one made a fuss about his absence.
A few days after the Olubadan of Ibadanland led some traditional rulers from Oyo State on a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, I appeared as a guest on a radio programme.
The traditional rulers were at the Villa to appreciate the President for the rescue of abducted victims in Oriire Local Government Area and for the Federal Government’s approval for the dualisation of the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road, which was flagged off today.
One of the questions put to me by the programme anchor centred on concerns in certain quarters about whether it was proper for the traditional rulers to visit the President before paying a similar visit to the Governor of Oyo State.
I recall telling the anchor that the public could not know for certain whether the royal fathers had contacted the Governor or whether an understanding had been reached before their trip to Abuja.
However, the anchor and several callers were persistent. Some argued that it was a slight on Governor Makinde for the traditional rulers to have travelled to Abuja to thank the President without first visiting the Governor in Ibadan.
Because of the persistent reactions, I decided to investigate whether the royal fathers had made efforts to see the Governor or get in touch with him before leaving for Abuja.
I can now state that the original plan was for the traditional rulers to meet and appreciate Governor Makinde on Wednesday before proceeding to Abuja on Thursday to visit President Tinubu.
Unfortunately, the Governor did not provide the opportunity for the royal fathers to meet with him on Wednesday.
I had no intention of making my findings public. However, since the Oyo State Government has chosen to make an issue of the alleged exclusion of Governor Makinde from the road flag-off, I consider it necessary to point out what I see as an inconsistency in its reaction.
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, I listened to Agbami Oselu on Fresh FM, Ibadan.
I was not surprised that sympathisers of Governor Makinde decided to pounce on Alhaji Abolade Salami and other members of the programme panel.
They accused the seasoned broadcaster of bias. Some even alleged that he was using his programme to advance an APC agenda.
Interestingly, where were these same people when Prince Diran Odeyemi and I were hounded on the same programme because of our political dispositions towards Governor Makinde? Perhaps they applauded at the time.
And what about the occasions when another broadcaster on the same radio station allegedly turned his Saturday programme into a platform where only Governor Makinde and his administration could flourish?
Governor Makinde and some of his sympathisers can be unnecessarily sensitive and fanatical about political matters.
I have also read the press release issued by Prince Dotun Oyelade regarding the alleged exclusion of Governor Makinde from the flag-off of the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road dualisation project, which took place in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
After reading the statement, I asked myself: would Governor Makinde have attended the event even if he had been invited?
I also asked: what injury has the Governor suffered by not being physically present at the flag-off?
Prince Oyelade believes that the alleged deliberate exclusion of Governor Makinde from the event amounts to taking politics too far.
But if this is considered taking politics too far, what should be said about Governor Makinde’s absence from the signing of the peace pact in Abuja? Was he also excluded from that event?
I am surprised that the Oyo State Government has chosen to make a mountain out of what, in my opinion, is a molehill.
Until today, Governor Makinde has not deemed it necessary to visit President Tinubu following the rescue of the abducted victims in Oriire Local Government Area.
Should that also be interpreted as taking politics too far?
The Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road project is a significant development, and the focus should be on its potential benefits to the people of Oyo State and the wider South-West region, rather than unnecessary political controversy over who attended or did not attend a flag-off ceremony.
Not every event deserves political tears and wailing.
If crying over every perceived slight has now become a political strategy, then perhaps the Oyo State Government should consider getting a bucket.
I am willing to provide one free of charge.
Sola Abegunde
