Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, over the alleged choice of former Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General, Lawal Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Olayinka questioned Makinde’s decision to allegedly pick Daura, who was removed as DSS Director-General by former Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in 2018, following the controversial invasion and blockade of the National Assembly complex by masked security operatives.
Osinbajo, who served as Vice President under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, assumed the role of Acting President on several occasions during Buhari’s medical trips abroad.
On August 7, 2018, while serving as Acting President, Osinbajo ordered Daura’s removal as DSS Director-General following the unauthorised takeover of the National Assembly premises by security operatives.
Reacting to the alleged political alliance between Makinde and Daura, Olayinka took to X to recall the circumstances surrounding Daura’s removal from office.
“Una remember this man? He is Lawal Daura, the former DSS Director-General. As DG DSS under Buhari’s government, Lawal Daura tried to sack the National Assembly until Osinbajo, who was acting President then, blocked and later sacked him,” Olayinka wrote.
He further criticised Makinde, referring to the Oyo State governor by his popular political nickname.
“That’s the man Ibadan Gomina General, Seyi Makinde picked as his running mate to contest for the president of Iwo Road and Bodija.
“Sebi it is birds of the same feather that flock together nah,” he added.
The remarks have added a fresh political dimension to preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with parties and political actors increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the contest.
