Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and African Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has advised supporters of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to avoid reducing discussions about the 2027 presidential election to what he termed political triumphalism. In a statement titled “When Not To Speak,” Ogundipe responded to recent remarks by Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who had expressed support for Makinde’s presidential ambition.
Constitutional Right and Context
Ogundipe acknowledged that Makinde has a constitutional right to aspire to any political office, including the presidency. However, he stressed that such ambition should not be promoted through sweeping assertions that lack broader national context and objective scrutiny. He questioned repeated claims about the growth of Oyo State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which reportedly rose from about ₦26.5 billion in 2019 to over ₦103 billion in 2026, asking whether the economic realities of ordinary residents had improved proportionately.
Economic Impact Questioned
According to Ogundipe, Nigerians are entitled to ask whether industrial productivity has expanded significantly and what measurable impact the revenue growth has had on unemployment, poverty reduction, and living conditions across the state. “Revenue generation alone does not automatically translate into economic transformation,” he stated.
Infrastructure vs. Presidential Capacity
Ogundipe argued that infrastructure development, though commendable, should not automatically be interpreted as proof of national presidential capacity. He noted that governance at the national level requires broader competencies, including security management, economic coordination, coalition building, institutional depth, and national acceptability across Nigeria’s diverse political environment.
Warning Against Assured Victory Claims
The former NUJ president also faulted suggestions that defeating an incumbent administration in 2027 was already assured, warning that such comments risk trivialising democratic engagement. According to him, public communication by government officials occupying sensitive positions requires restraint, moderation, and responsibility. “Excessive political projection can sometimes weaken rather than strengthen the credibility of the very ambition being promoted,” he said.
Call for Political Moderation
Ogundipe maintained that his intervention should not be interpreted as opposition to Makinde’s alleged presidential ambition but rather as a call for political moderation and issue-based engagement. “Political credibility is built through measurable national substance and broad public persuasion, not emotional overstatement,” he added. He concluded that knowing when not to speak is itself a mark of political wisdom.
