On Monday, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, slammed the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, Atiku Abubakar over his failure to empathise with him and the state following the tragic explosion that rocked some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The governor criticised Atiku when he received the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who came on a condolence visit to the state.
According to Makinde, Atiku’s silence after the tragedy was “insensitive” and shows a lack of empathy.
Makinde also stated that the former vice president’s silence is sending a strong troubling message about his character and judgment.
The Oyo Governor further appreciated Obi for not allowing their political differences to stop him from sympathising with the state at this time.
In his own words, “I thank him because politics didn’t seep into this. You came here to commiserate with us over the explosion. Actually, the investigation is going on.
“I am particularly grateful because the musketeers that went for the presidential election have reached out to me. The President has called me, and you have reached out to me. But my own party candidate (Atiku Abubakar) has not called or even sent a text message.”
Makinde further charged other leaders to emulate Obi, noting that there is time for politics, a time for governance, and also a time to show humanity to the people they are leading.
Speaking to Obi during the visit, Makinde revealed that preliminary investigations showed that the explosion was the result of illegal miners storing explosives in an environment where they shouldn’t be.
He further noted that they are working tirelessly to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of such tragedy in the state.
News About Nigeria reported that the Ibadan Explosion which had happened on the night of January 16th, 2024, led to the death of five people, several injured people and the destruction of about 20 buildings
