Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has attributed the frequent defection of politicians across parties in Nigeria to the absence of clear political ideology among the country’s political actors.
This statement was made by Makinde on Thursday during the public presentation of a new book titled “Omituntun’s Political Ideology of Governor Seyi Makinde”, held at the State Local Government Staff Training School Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Represented by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor said the philosophy behind Omituntun, his administration’s development vision reflects tangible transformation, not just a slogan.
“If you live in this state, you would know that Oyo has taken on a new look. The slogan Omituntun is not just a phrase, it’s the reality that people experience daily,” he said.
Speaking on the book’s central theme, Makinde noted that one of Nigeria’s deepest political challenges is the lack of ideological grounding within its political parties.
“One of the biggest problems with our politics is the absence of ideology. All our parties are almost identical. That’s why it’s easy for politicians to move from one to another, at night they belong to AAC, in the morning SDP, and by afternoon ADC,” he remarked.
He explained that true political ideology helps citizens understand a leader’s guiding principles and predict their policy choices, citing how voters in the United States can easily distinguish between Democrats and Republicans.
“In Nigeria, you can’t always tell what a politician stands for. That’s what this administration is trying to change, it’s not politics for power’s sake, but politics for impact; governance for the good of the people,” Makinde added.
Reviewing the book, the author Wale Adewumi described Makinde as “a pragmatic leader and the face of good governance in Nigeria,” noting that the publication reflects the heart of a transformational leader and serves as “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.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including veteran broadcaster and diplomat Dr. Yemi Farounbi, SUBEB Chairman Nureni Adeniran, and the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiy Agbotomokekere.
They all commended Makinde for his inclusive leadership and developmental strides, particularly in education, interfaith harmony, and socioeconomic growth across Oyo State.
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