Governor Makinde Claims Lack of Condolence from AtikuIn the aftermath of a tragic explosion incident, the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, asserted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar neither called nor sent a condolence message to him. Speaking during a condolence visit by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and other party members, Makinde expressed his gratitude to those who reached out but pointedly highlighted the absence of communication from his party’s candidate.
Makinde was quoted saying, “I am particularly grateful because you are three musketeers that went into that election. The president has reached out to me, and you have reached out to me, but my party candidate, not even a call or a text message.” This raised questions about Atiku’s response and drew attention to a potential oversight in offering condolences
In response to Governor Makinde’s claim, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, issued a statement refuting the impression created about Atiku’s response. Ibe clarified that Atiku had indeed conveyed a condolence message less than 24 hours after the explosion, expressing commiseration and empathy for the people and government of Oyo State.
The media adviser suggested that Governor Makinde may have been too occupied to notice the message. Ibe’s statement quoted parts of Atiku’s message, demonstrating his acknowledgment of the incident. The quoted message conveyed Atiku’s condolences, stating, “I wish to express my condolences to the good people and government of Oyo State over the explosion that rocked the capital city of Ibadan late yesterday night.”
The conflicting narratives shed light on potential communication gaps and underscore the challenges in managing responses during times of crisis. It also adds a layer to the existing political dynamics, given that Makinde was one of the five PDP governors who opposed Atiku’s candidacy in the 2023 election. The clash of statements highlights the intricate relationships within the political landscape and the importance of accurate communication during sensitive situations.
