Politics
2019: Kano underage voting, hint to APC rigging plans — ADP chieftain alleges
CHAIRMAN, Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Ijebu North Local Government, Prince Dele Ajayi, has alleged that the underage voting in the Kano Local Government election was an inkling to what might likely happen in some parts of the country in the forthcoming general elections.
Ajayi, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Ijebu Ode on Tuesday, posited that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), could be said to have perfected plans to massively rig the 2019 elections, stressing that the underage voters registration and voting in the North is just one their strategies.
The ADP chieftain further described voters registration as a very important aspect of elections, just as he enjoined voters in Ogun State and Nigeria at large to get their Permanent Voters Card (PCV) and vote out the failed rulling party.
Also, the National Chairman of the party, Yabagi Sani, on AIT Kakaki programme, on Monday condmned the incident, saying “Kano is All Progressives Congress (APC) state and the party has not done anything to condemn the underage voting.”
The former Vice Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the rulling party of being reluctant to take decisive steps on the issue of underage voters, while questioning the independence of the Commission and the reliability of the voters’ register.
“The excuse that underage voters were registered because of threats to the lives of registration officers is untenable. And if this is true, then how indipendent is INEC, and how reliable is the voters register? INEC should not have kept silent on this anti-democratic matter before now, if truly the Commission is sincerely committed to ensuring the survival of democracy in Nigeria”, he said.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last weekend promised that the alleged incident of underage voting during the recent local government elections in Kano State would be fully investigated.
He then commended the moves by the National Assembly to re-order the 2019 general election’s sequence as contained in the recent amendment to the Electoral Act.
Commenting on the economic situations in Nigeria, the ADP chieftain said the performances of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration lack the intellectual capacity to tackle the nation’s economy, which according to him, led to the collapse of several companies and loss of jobs in Nigeria, and unarguable sufferings of the masses.
Quoting the National Bureu of Statistics (NBS) 2017 unemployment reports, Ajayi said, “4.07 million Nigerians became unemployed between January and September 2017. This was against the Buhari’s promise in a campaign rally in Kano and other places, whereby he promised to create three million jobs yearly (totalling 12 million in his first term) solve the problem of unemployment, and in addition, his then running mate, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, at a campaign rally in Akure, pledging 20,000 jobs yearly totaling 720,000.”
On the chances of ADP in the 2019 elections in Ogun State and Nigeria at large, Ajayi said: “ADP has come to stay, and to fix the crooked in the Nigerian economy and policies, and give the Nigerian people a credible alternative they have been yearning for, a third force which is capable of turning the country around for good.”
Ajayi, while describing ADP as a credible party for Nigerians to embrace and be served, said the policy of the party is to better utilise the resources of Nigeria for the good of the country and her good people.
“Our party, since its registration with the INEC in June 2017, has continued to receive massive membership. This is an indication that Nigerians are tired and can no longer continue with the shenanigan ways of doing politics which is currently being practiced by both the APC and PDP”.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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