Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Paul Ibe, disputes Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s assertion that Atiku failed to offer condolences after the January 16 explosion.
Ibe insists Atiku expressed sympathy within 24 hours of the incident. Governor Makinde, during a condolence visit from Peter Obi, criticized Atiku’s perceived silence, prompting Ibe’s response.
Atiku, who attributed his 2023 election loss to Makinde and other PDP governors, has faced ongoing political tensions within the party. Makinde, part of the G-5 governors, supported APC’s President Bola Tinubu in the February 2023 election.
During the visit, Peter Obi extended condolences to the bereaved families and praised Oyo State’s swift response to the explosion. He emphasized the need for reduced federal governance costs as a crucial sacrifice to address economic challenges.
Obi highlighted the importance of prioritizing critical areas like education, health, and poverty alleviation.
He called for collective effort and sacrifice to navigate the current economic situation, emphasizing the post-election focus on effective governance.