Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has called on Nigerians to raise their voices and speak up in defence of true federalism.
He noted that the founding fathers who negotiated Nigeria to be a federal system had foresight and that Nigerians should not allow the system to be derailed.
He stated this on Friday, at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State during a birthday party and the public presentation of a book entitled The Seyi Makinde Story: A Testament to Vision, Courage and Leadership, authored by Ali Odefa.
Governor Makinde said he would consider it his biggest 58th birthday gift if Nigerians, especially the South-East, could speak up for true federalism and make sure their voices are heard.
He said the South-East must emulate Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, whose singular act of relinquishing the All People’s Party (APP) presidential ticket in 1999.
That act by Onu, he said, changed the political landscape by ensuring that the South-East contribute towards making the political environment competitive ahead of the 2027 general election.
Governor Makinde noted that he chose to join politics years back to ensure that his voice is heard, said Nigerians can no longer afford to be bystanders.
He added that they must make up their minds to participate in politics and ensure their voices are heard with regards to true federalism.
“Well, let me start by saying compliments of the season to all of us, and to wish us a Merry Christmas and a happy, joyous, and rewarding Year 2026 ahead of us.
“I want to say thank you for arranging this. When they brought the kolanut, they said I should accept it. And Ali whispered to me that this kolanut understands only one language, and that is Igbo Language.
“And I tried to think in my head, you know, what language would I speak to this kola? But eventually, I spoke in Igbo.
“Kolanuts are actually grown in the western part of the country. But the people that eat kolanuts the most are in the northern part of the country. And that brings me to my only message for today.
“Nigeria was negotiated as a federation. The people that negotiated that federation called it Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is because of something like this. If you go to the North, you go to the West, you go to the East, different cultures, in fact, different nations.
“And they thought, okay, so how do you have unity in that diversity? And they negotiated federalism. And that is the most important issue that we are faced with as a country today.
“I’ll be 58 in about six days’ time. It would be a great birthday gift for me if quietly we make up our minds to participate and let our voices be heard in calling for true federalism for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I am in Igboland. You have shown love to me in this state and throughout Igboland, every time I go out, I am always dumbfounded with the kind of reception that I receive in the South-East.
“You have demonstrated that we can actually have that handshake across the Niger. My brother, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, sent a representative.
“It is an indication of friendship and it is also an indication that the handshake is in the process of germinating and growing to an iroko status,” the governor said.
Makinde also used the occasion to commend the Igbo people for the roles they have played in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
“At every turning point in Nigeria’s history, we have had the imprints of Igbo people. Cast your mind back at every point. I can only just go back to the recent turning points, because the democracy we are enjoying today started in 1999.
“In 1999, we were going to have a one-sided election because all the generals were on one side. The elite were all on one side. A single individual had drafted the constitution of all the three political parties.
“That was the environment we were in at that point. And there came a proud Igbo man, by the name of Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Abia State.
“He did something that made the political environment at that time become competitive. He gave up his presidential ticket. He was the presidential candidate of APP. He gave up that ticket so that there could be an alliance between APP and AD.
“They came together and they created a competitive political environment. Once he did that, nobody could predict the outcome of that 1999 election. The election actually went down to the wire.
“So, I am calling on my brothers and sisters, on this occasion of my 58th birthday, that you play the same role.
“Make our political environment competitive. I am not talking about A, B, C, D or E. No, I am talking about the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is God that gives power. As humans, we may have ambitions, we may have aspirations, but God’s will always override individual’s will.
“So, my message is Igboland and Igbo people have a role to play to nudge Nigeria towards the path of true federalism. So, that is what I am going to leave you with.
“People have been talking about 2027, but we have one calendar year, 2026, ahead of us. Let us do our part, play our role. For me, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the reception that I have received here.”
In her speech, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, said her boss asked her and other top government officials to attend to celebrate Governor Makinde on the occasion of his birthday and the book authored by an Ebonyi man.
She noted that the book on the governor contained a lot of experiences, adding that Makinde has a lot of admirers because he has been doing well in governance, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, education and others.
“You have many admirers out there because of the good jobs you are doing in Oyo State. In terms of infrastructure development, you are doing well. In terms of education and health, you are doing well.
“You are part of the governors we pray for everyday. If 80 per cent of governors are like you, Nigeria will be a better place.
“I always associate you with my boss, His Excellency, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who remains the best governor in this country.
“Today, we congratulate you and thank God for your life, because you have weathered a lot of storms, got a lot of experiences but you came, you saw, you touched and you conquered.
“So, on behalf of my boss, we say big congratulations to you.”
Earlier, the author of the book, Odefa said the book is, indeed, a testament to the vision and courage of Governor Makinde, a man who has redefined leadership in the country.
He said he authored the book as a mark of his appreciation to the Oyo State governor and to immortalise him, just as he hailed his wife, Engineer Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, for all she has done for him and his household.
The event was attended by Engineer Mrs Makinde; Enugu State Deputy Governor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai; wife of a former governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs Eunice Egwu;
Wife of the author, Chief (Mrs) Onyinyechi Ali Odefa; and member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun (aka Agboworin), among others.
