The Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Michael Lana, announced on Tuesday that he is withdrawing from the race and endorsing the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party. The declaration was made at a press conference held in Iyaganku Quarters, Ibadan, the state capital.
Lana said he reached this decision after extensive consultations with party members, including House of Assembly candidates, national party officers, trade unions, traditional rulers, market associations, and religious bodies. He recalled a recent radio interview in which he told listeners that any action he took would be determined by the collective decision of all candidates, especially the SDP House of Assembly aspirants. “In almost every interview I was asked whether, as has become the habit of this party, I would step down,” he said. “Believing I was among ideologically sound members and as a principled person, I always answered no, confident that my message would win the people the victory they deserve.”
However, recent events convinced Lana that his stance was mistaken. He accused some party chieftains of embracing money politics and vote‑buying, and lamented that senior party officials had allegedly sold out the party’s cause for a small sum, declaring support for the opposition without the members’ knowledge or consent. “We had to sit down, rethink, and make a decision that serves the neglected and aggrieved party members, the candidates, and the people of the state,” he explained.
After several consultations, the SDP resolved to align with a “really progressive” candidate. Consequently, Lana urged all supporters to vote overwhelmingly for Makinde of the PDP on Saturday, 18 March 2023, to secure his re‑election as governor of Oyo State.
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