Tensions Escalate As Atiku And Makinde Clash Over Ibadan Explosion Response

Tensions Escalate As Atiku And Makinde Clash Over Ibadan Explosion Response

In the aftermath of the Ibadan explosion on January 16, a war of words has erupted between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde…..CONTINUE READING

The exchange began when Governor Makinde, during a condolence visit from former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, criticized Atiku for purportedly staying silent on the tragic incident.

Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, swiftly refuted these claims, asserting that Atiku had, in fact, expressed condolences less than 24 hours after the explosion, conveying empathy for the people and government of Oyo State. The verbal sparring intensified when Makinde, appreciating Obi’s visit, specifically mentioned Atiku’s apparent lack of contact or sympathies.

In response, Ibe defended Atiku, emphasizing that the former vice president had extended condolences through a widely shared message on January 17. He suggested that perhaps the governor had been too occupied to accurately track media reports.

This verbal clash unfolds against a backdrop of political tensions, with Atiku having previously attributed his 2023 presidential election defeat to the lack of support from Makinde and four other PDP governors known as the G-5, who endorsed APC’s President Bola Tinubu.

The incident not only highlights the political fissures within the PDP but also underscores the challenges of navigating the delicate dynamics in the aftermath of a tragic event. The Ibadan explosion investigation, attributing the incident to illegal miners storing explosives improperly, adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative. Meanwhile, Peter Obi’s condolences during the visit and his call for a reduction in the federal government’s cost of governance bring attention to broader economic and governance concerns in the country.