Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly failing to reach out to him over the recent explosion in the state. 

While playing host to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the election, on Monday in Ibadan, Mr Makinde lamented that Mr Abubakar had yet to call or text to commiserate with Oyo people.

Noting that President Bola Tinubu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had already contacted him, the governor said political leaders should be able to identify time for politics and humanity. 

“The president has reached out to me, you have reached out to me, but my party candidate, not even a call or text message,” said Mr Makinde.

He added, “I’m saying this openly so that our leaders would know that, yeah, you have time for politics, you have time for governance, and you have time for humanity.”

The governor further appreciated Mr Obi for the visit.

Mr Obi said his visit to Oyo was to commiserate with Mr Makinde and the state’s people over the explosion that affected no less than 20 residential buildings. At least four persons died, and several others were injured after the blast caused by explosives stored in a private residence by illegal miners rocked the state capital, Ibadan, last week.

Meanwhile, Mr Abubakar had, in a tweet hours after the incident, expressed his condolences to the people of Oyo, especially the families of the victims.

Mr Atiku said, “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.

“While the government continues to provide humanitarian support to victims of the explosion, I commiserate with the families of those who might have lost their lives and property to the explosion.”