Governor Seyi Makinde has attributed the frequent defection of politicians from one party to another in Nigeria to the absence of clear political ideology among the nation’s political actors.
Makinde, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated this while speaking at the public presentation of a book titled “Omituntun’s Political Ideology of Governor Seyi Makinde,” held on Thursday at the State Local Government Staff Training School Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.
In his address, Olanrewaju conveyed the governor’s apologies for being unavoidably absent, explaining that Makinde was on an official engagement outside the country.
“His Excellency asked me to thank you for the honor done to him by putting together this book that documents what he has done in the last six years and five months.
“If you live in this state, you would know that Oyo has taken on a new look. The slogan Omituntun is not just a slogan, it is the reality people live in,” he said.
Speaking on the central theme of the event, Olanrewaju emphasized that one of the major problems confronting Nigerian politics is the lack of ideological foundation among political parties.
“One of the things that trouble our politics is the absence of ideology. All our parties are almost one and the same. That is why it is so convenient for politicians to migrate from one to the other—at night it is ABC, in the morning SDP, and by afternoon ADC—because there is no ideology,” he said.
According to him, even though Governor Makinde might not have deliberately set out to create a distinct political ideology, his actions, policies, and governance style over the years have evolved into one that is easily recognizable and impactful.
“Governor Makinde’s actions are predictable, and that’s what defines ideology. You know what to expect from Republicans in the U.S., and from Democrats.
“But in Nigeria, what can you expect from a typical politician? That’s what the Governor is trying to change. It’s not politics for power’s sake, it’s politics for impact. It’s governance for the good of the people,” he added.
He noted that the governor’s approach to governance has been driven by the desire to create meaningful and measurable impact, not for personal or political gain.
“Sometimes the one making the impact doesn’t even realize how deep it goes. But Makinde’s leadership has redefined what governance should mean in this state,” Olanrewaju concluded.
Other dignitaries at the event, including Dr Yemi Farounbi, the Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, and the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiy Agbotomokekere, praised the governor for his remarkable strides across different sectors.
They commended Makinde for his inclusive governance style, especially in education, interreligious harmony, and socioeconomic development.
The Chief Imam particularly lauded the governor’s fairness and generosity to the Muslim community, noting that despite being a Christian, Makinde has remained “the most friendly and magnanimous” to Muslims in the state, even facilitating the construction of magnificent mosques.
Earlier in his review of the book, Mr. Wale Adewumi described Governor Makinde as “a pragmatic leader and a face of good governance in Nigeria.”
He said the publication reflects the heart of a transformational leader and serves as both a mirror and a guide for future generations.
“The book doesn’t just document policies; it captures the spirit of a leader who governs with integrity, unity, and service. It challenges others to lead with the same sense of purpose,” Adewumi said.
The event, attended by clerics, government officials, and political enthusiasts, was as much a celebration of the Makinde administration’s record as it was a conversation about the role of ideology in shaping Nigeria’s political future.