Oyo State Governor and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Seyi Makinde, has said that he can aspire to become the president of Nigeria.
Makinde said this during an interview session on the Channels Television programme Politics Today on Tuesday.
The governor, however, mentioned that his party, the PDP, needs to be fixed first before the talk of contesting for the highest office of the land comes forth.
Makinde said, “I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes but what I want to do right now, is it what Nigerians are asking for right now, is it what my party will say we should do, we don’t know; we still have a long time to go.
“But where we are right now is that we must fix our party, we must have a platform for you to even aspire to be anything. Let me also say this: if my political journey ends here, I am also happy.”
Makinde insisted that he would not follow anyone’s agenda when he was asked if he intends to contest for the office of president come 2027.
He stated that he would make his intentions known at the right time, as he is presently focused on the growth and development of Oyo State.
He said, “Nobody will set an agenda for me. I will set an agenda for myself. People can say whatever they want to say (but) right now, I am focusing on what Oyo State people have given to me; the task ahead of us.
“So, I am not distracted. I will not play stunt politics; I will not do things because it feels right in some people’s ears. No, I will stay focused to ensure that we bring dividends of democracy to our people, look after them, and also build infrastructure that will lead our people well into the future.
“That is not consistent with whether somebody is going to go to the federal level or whether people are saying I must contest. If I want to contest, I will come out at the appropriate time.
“One thing you should expect from Seyi Makinde is that he would never come out to say I want to do XYZ without preparations and without being held accountable for whatever he says he wants to do.”
