Makinde, who stated this in Aba, Abia State while commissioning the Nwaobasi Estate and Umuakatawom –Osaa Okea ring roads, explained that the PDP can’t restructure Nigeria if it is not ready to restructure itself.
The Oyo Governor insisted that he and Ikpeazu , Wike, Ortom and Ugwuanyi are not fighting for southern Nigeria to have the chairmanship of the PDP Governorship Forum. He, however, lamented that the country has been practicing democracy for 23 years and is yet to take a path that can lead to sustainable development.
He said; “I read on the internet that Seyi Makinde has been appointed the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum. It is a lie from the pit of hell. Even if they give it to me, I will not accept it because there must be order. Ikpeazu is the deputy chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. If the chairman resigns, the deputy chairman will take over the position. This is how to have order in the process. And this is not what we are fighting for. We are not fighting for the southern part of this country to have the chairmanship of the PDP Governors’ forum. We are saying that if PDP has promised to restructure Nigeria and we can’t restructure the PDP, then we are not ready to restructure Nigeria. This is the fact. There are issues that are foundational. If you read the proceedings of the constitutional conferences that led to independence, you will know that there were issues. And since 1960, we have not been able to get things right. They said that military interregnum and their command structure affected us, but we have been practicing democracy for 23 years now and have not been able to take a path that can lead to sustainable development. This is what we are saying.”
He commended Ikpeazu for improving the road infrastructure to boost commercial activities in the city and called on the federal government to give more powers to the states to fix federal roads in their areas.
Earlier, Ikpeazu noted that the asphalting of Nwaobasi ring road is the first attempt by any administration since the old Imo state, adding that the road was not passable before he assumed office in 2015.
He promised to commission all the projects initiated by his administration before he leaves office on May 29, 2023.
He said; “I have a deep sense of personal fulfillment of the commissioning of the Nwaobasi ring road that I have been able to touch lives that were hitherto forgotten.What we are showing the world is our strategic thing in terms of enabling free flow of traffic in and out of Aba.
“A few years ago, it was impossible to move from Opobo junction to get to the Ehere market on Ikot Ekpene road. Beyond here is Ehere market, but you could not access the market either from Aba or Ikot Ekpene. It was impossible, even through trekking despite the fact that it is a federal road. We intervened on the road, at least 2km from Opobo junction to the market so that we can ease commerce for those who depend on that market for sustenance. We decided to do the Nwaobasi ring road so that you don’t need to pass the traffic jam on Opobo junction. You can link Nwaobasi ring road and link other parts of the state.”