Birds Of The Same Feather’ — Wike’s Aide Takes Swipe At Makinde Over Daura

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate Seyi Makinde over his reported choice of former Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General Lawal Daura as his running mate.

According to Ireporter Online, Olayinka questioned Makinde’s decision, particularly given Daura’s controversial departure from office under former Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo became Acting President on several occasions during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, including periods when Buhari travelled abroad for medical treatment and other engagements.

On August 7, 2018, Osinbajo, who was Acting President at the time, removed Daura as DSS Director-General following the unauthorised blockade of the National Assembly complex by masked security operatives.

Reacting to Makinde’s reported choice through a post on X, Olayinka recalled Daura’s tenure as DSS director-general and questioned the rationale behind selecting him as a running mate.

“Una remember this man? He is Lawal Daura, the former DSS Director-General. As DG DSS under Buhari’s government, Lawal Daura tried to sack the National Assembly until Osinbajo, who was acting President then, blocked and later sacked him,” Olayinka wrote.

He went on to mock Makinde over the reported decision, referring to him as the “Ibadan Gomina General” and alleging that the governor had selected Daura as his running mate for his presidential bid.

Olayinka concluded his post with a reference to the popular saying that “birds of the same feather flock together,” apparently suggesting similarities between Makinde and Daura.

The criticism comes as political activities and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to generate controversy, with candidates and their choice of running mates attracting increasing public attention.