Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dropped his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, as his running mate for the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.

Makinde, it was gathered, has picked the chairman of the State Housing Corporation, Barr. Bayo Lawal, as his running mate for the 2023 polls.

The governor had last Wednesday secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for a second term in office.

He clinched the governorship ticket after polling 1,040 votes at the gubernatorial primaries held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while his challenger, Azeem Gbolarumi, got 02 votes.

It was, however, gathered that Governor Makinde settled for Lawal as his running mate following the rift with his deputy.

READ ALSO: PDP primaries: Makinde floors challenger, secures second term ticket

Olaniyan had after the PDP governorship primaries alleged he had been sidelined by his boss, saying he had not been involved in the “selection” of PDP candidates for the 2023 elections in the state.

Lawal, who hails from Kishi in Irepo Local Government Area of Oyo State, is a former Attorney-General of the state.

He was appointed in 1999 under the administration of former Governor Lam Adesina.

He was also appointed the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Housing Corporation by Governor Makinde.

The Star