Politics
Teen’s Death: Oyo APC Slams Makinde, Seeks Tech-driven Traffic Control
Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has slammed Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration over the alleged use of excessive force by traffic enforcement officers, leading to the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Kehinde Alade, in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Pandemonium broke out in the New Gbagi Market-Alakia/Old Ife Road area of Ibadan when a policeman attached to the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA) allegedly fired a shot at a motorist accused of driving against traffic. The bullet reportedly hit the driver’s teenage son, Kehinde, who was being taken to school with his twin brother.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, made available to reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the APC condemned the involvement of gun-wielding security agents in traffic enforcement, saying the act was unprofessional and avoidable.
“The killing of the innocent schoolboy by an overzealous policeman in Ibadan on Tuesday was not only unfortunate but also sad and devastating, going by the circumstances surrounding the whole incident,” the statement read.
“What made it worse was the reaction from the state government, which, instead of accepting responsibility, blamed the father of the victim for the tragic outcome. This added insult to injury and reflects poorly on the administration’s sense of accountability.”
The party described as unacceptable the alleged refusal of the government to acknowledge its failure to safeguard lives, stressing that the deployment of armed officers against traffic offenders was both dangerous and outdated.
“Oyo State government failed in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. The idea of chasing motorists with armed men instead of deploying close-circuit television (CCTV) and traffic-monitoring technology, as done in Lagos and other advanced climes, is archaic and counterproductive,” the party stated.
It accused Governor Makinde of misplacing priorities, saying while criminals torment residents in Iwajowa, Akinyele, Oluyole, Ibarapa North, Saki East, Oriire, Oyo West, and other areas, the government prefers to use armed officers against motorists.
The APC further called attention to the activities of OYRTMA, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and Park Management System (PMS) operatives, whom it accused of turning traffic enforcement into a revenue drive while harassing drivers and causing chaos across the state.
“The state government must check the excesses of these officials as their conduct poses a serious threat to public peace and safety,” the statement said.
The opposition party demanded a thorough investigation by the Inspector-General of Police and the Federal Government, with a view to ensuring justice for the slain boy and punishing all those found culpable.
“The death of Kehinde Alade must not be swept under the carpet. It is high time Governor Makinde adopted civilised and tech-driven approaches to traffic control rather than unleashing brute force on residents,” Sadare added.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
Politics
Ibarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
An aspirant for the Ibarapa East State Constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Engr. Yusuf Abiodun Ramon, on Tuesday congratulated Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya (Ajiboye) on his emergence as the State Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Akinsanya was elected at the party’s state congress held today, a development party faithful in Ibarapa East Local Government described as significant for the zone’s growing influence within the APC structure.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement of the results, Ramon described Ajiboye’s victory as “well-deserved and timely.”
According to him, “Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya has remained steadfast, loyal and committed to the ideals of our great party. His emergence as State Treasurer is a clear affirmation of the trust and confidence members have in his integrity and administrative competence.”
Ramon noted that the election of a party stalwart from Ibarapa East into a critical financial office at the state level would further strengthen grassroots participation and unity within the APC.
“This is not just a personal victory for Ajiboye; it is a collective achievement for Ibarapa East. It reinforces our relevance in the progressive family and encourages broader inclusion in party administration,” he said.
The aspirant expressed confidence that the new treasurer would discharge his responsibilities with transparency, accountability and diligence in order to deepen internal democracy and institutional stability within the party.
He urged party leaders and members across Oyo State to close ranks in support of the newly elected executive members to ensure cohesion and effective management of party affairs ahead of future political engagements.
Ramon reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of the APC in Ibarapa East and Oyo State at large, stressing that sustained unity and responsible leadership remain essential to consolidating the party’s strength across the state.
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