••Challenges Oyo governor to show achievements, questions his handling of PDP in Southwest, says youthfulness without results is no qualification for leadership
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, has taken issue with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his reported remarks comparing himself with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on age and physical fitness, insisting that Nigeria needs proven leadership, political experience and measurable achievements rather than age-based arguments.
Oluyede argued that Makinde’s emphasis on youthful energy raises a fundamental question about the relationship between age and leadership performance, challenging the Oyo governor to demonstrate what he has accomplished that distinguishes him as a presidential aspirant.
He maintained that President Tinubu’s political journey offers a different perspective on leadership, pointing to the challenges Tinubu faced as governor of Lagos State and his subsequent rise to the presidency.
According to Oluyede, Tinubu navigated difficult political circumstances during his years as governor, built political structures and sustained a political movement that eventually expanded beyond Lagos State.
He argued that the lesson from Tinubu’s trajectory is that political leadership requires strategic thinking, organisational capacity, resilience and the ability to build sustainable institutions.
“At the age Governor Makinde is today, President Tinubu was already governing Lagos State and confronting serious political and developmental challenges. He built political structures, navigated difficult circumstances and sustained a political movement that eventually expanded beyond Lagos.
“Leadership is not about how young or energetic you claim to be. It is about what you have achieved, the institutions you have built, the people you have empowered and the political legacy you are leaving behind.
“If Governor Makinde believes he is prepared to lead Nigeria, he should show Nigerians his record and allow them to assess it against the responsibilities he seeks to assume,” Oluyede said.
The former governorship candidate also questioned Makinde’s stewardship of the PDP in the Southwest, arguing that the party’s political fortunes in the region should form part of any assessment of his leadership.
He maintained that political leadership requires the ability to unite stakeholders, manage internal disagreements, strengthen party structures and create a credible pathway to electoral success.
Oluyede argued that anyone who aspires to national leadership must be prepared to answer questions about their handling of political organisations and relationships, particularly when those organisations face internal divisions and electoral challenges.
He challenged Makinde to explain how his leadership has strengthened the PDP’s position across the Southwest and what concrete steps he has taken to address the party’s organisational difficulties.
Youthfulness Without Results Is Not Leadership
Oluyede further argued that being young is not, in itself, proof of leadership capacity, stressing that youthful energy must translate into tangible achievements and responsible governance.
He said Nigerians should be wary of arguments that place age above experience, policy depth, judgment and demonstrated performance.
According to him, the presidency demands more than physical stamina; it requires the capacity to manage a complex economy, address security challenges, strengthen public institutions and provide a clear direction for national development.
He also emphasised the importance of respect for constituted authority and traditional institutions, arguing that political disagreements should be conducted with restraint and a proper appreciation of the responsibilities attached to public office.
Oluyede maintained that public figures seeking higher office should demonstrate humility, respect for institutions and the maturity to engage opponents without reducing political debates to personal comparisons.
He added that President Tinubu’s record should be assessed through verifiable policies and governance outcomes, just as Makinde and other prospective presidential aspirants should be prepared to defend their own records before Nigerians.
Oluyede concluded that the 2027 presidential debate should focus on achievements, ideas, accountability and the capacity to deliver sustainable development.
He challenged Makinde to move beyond comparisons of age and energy and present a compelling account of his achievements, political leadership and plans for Nigeria.
According to him, the ultimate test of leadership is not how young a politician is, but what that politician has demonstrably accomplished with the opportunities and responsibilities entrusted to him.