The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has rejected plans by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to conduct another local government election on December 26, 2026, describing the proposed exercise as illegal, premature and a calculated move to retain political influence at the grassroots beyond the governor’s tenure.

The party declared that it would neither participate in the election nor remain silent over what it termed an attempt to squander public resources on a process allegedly designed to install loyalists in the 33 local government councils and 351 wards across the state.

The controversy followed the decision of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) to shift the date earlier fixed for January 2027 to December 26, 2026, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The move has continued to generate debate among political observers, many of whom have questioned the urgency of conducting another council poll barely six months before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent chairmen and councillors elected in the 2024 local government elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said it would not stop at boycotting the election but would also collaborate with “patriots and rational minds” to resist what it called an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayers’ money.

The party accused Governor Makinde of lacking commitment to local government autonomy, alleging that the administration had exercised undue control over council resources for more than seven years.

“The whole world knows that Governor Makinde does not believe in local government autonomy and, when it comes to democracy at the grassroots, he cannot be trusted for anything,” the statement said.

The APC alleged that the proposed poll was aimed at positioning individuals loyal to the governor in local councils before his exit from office on May 29, 2027, arguing that such a move would enable him to sustain political influence after leaving the Agodi Government House.

According to the opposition party, expectations among many residents are centred on ongoing efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen local government autonomy and ensure that councils enjoy direct access to their statutory allocations without interference from state governments.

The APC also linked what it described as poor development outcomes in some rural communities to the operation of the state-local government joint account system. It cited communities such as Ahoro Esiele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area, which have reportedly faced security challenges, as examples of areas where local government resources should have translated into visible improvements.

“It is sad that Governor Makinde appears determined to sustain a system that has left many rural communities vulnerable despite huge allocations accruing to local governments monthly,” the party said.

The opposition further dismissed the local government elections conducted in 2020 and 2024 as lacking credibility, alleging that winners emerged through predetermined outcomes rather than a transparent electoral process.

“The fraud called local government polls in 2020 and 2024 should be the last the people of Oyo State would witness. Governor Makinde and his supporters should bury any thought of staging another charade in which results are announced without genuine voting and public offices become tools for the diversion of public funds,” the statement added.

The APC consequently urged officials of OYSIEC to halt preparations for the proposed December election, warning against actions capable of undermining democratic values and public confidence in the electoral process.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Oyo State Government nor OYSIEC had issued an official response to the allegations raised by the opposition party.

The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, on Saturday mobilised thousands of artisans and traders across Oyo State in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

‎Oseni said the support base of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), in collaboration with other stakeholders, was intensifying efforts to deliver one million votes for the President in the state.

‎Oseni, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said artisans and traders must see themselves as critical stakeholders in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the success of the administration depends largely on grassroots participation.
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‎The federal lawmaker spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a stakeholders’ engagement with members of the ROCOF Progressive Workers and Traders’ Associations.
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‎In a symbolic show of political readiness, scores of traders and artisans displayed their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while Oseni urged eligible Nigerians yet to register to obtain their voter cards ahead of the next general election.
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‎He cautioned against vote-buying and vote-selling, warning that such practices threaten the future of democracy and mortgage the destiny of younger generations.
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‎The meeting, according to Oseni, was also convened to deepen economic support for members through empowerment programmes targeted at strengthening businesses and improving livelihoods.
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‎He announced that requests for a N250 million interest-free loan scheme for artisans and traders, construction of an artisans’ village with stable electricity supply, and health insurance support had received approval.
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‎According to him, the loan facility will be administered through a microfinance bank under the Remi Oseni Foundation to ensure transparency, accessibility and sustainability.
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‎He added that road and infrastructure projects across communities would remain a major priority.
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‎Oseni, who is seeking to represent Oyo South Senatorial District  in the next election cycle, also used the meeting to explain his decision to pursue a Senate seat instead of his earlier governorship ambition.
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‎He said the move followed consultations with party leaders and supporters.
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‎According to him, supporters deserved clarity on the political direction of the movement.

‎He said: “We convened this stakeholders’ meeting to review our present position. Before now, our focus was on leading Oyo State through the governorship. That was our clear objective as a movement, but today, it has become evident that God is directing us towards the Senate.
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‎“Our people needed to understand the reasons for this decision, the position of the party and what we have accepted in the overall interest of our political future. It is not enough for leaders to take decisions. We owe our supporters explanations and must carry them along.
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‎“We have encouraged them to embrace this opportunity in good faith and believe that greater opportunities still lie ahead.
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‎“Many of them felt our governorship ambition would have delivered greater benefits, but we have reassured them that the government remains supportive and the future is bright.
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‎“We have equally assured the President that our decision to pursue the Oyo South Senate seat will not affect the one million votes earlier promised him, because ROCOF structures across the 33 local government areas are fully mobilised and committed to his re-election.”
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‎On the crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oseni said efforts were ongoing to reconcile aggrieved members, expressing confidence that outstanding differences would soon be resolved.
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‎He described competing interests within the party as a reflection of the APC’s growing strength and political attractiveness.
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‎Earlier, the Oyo State Coordinator of ROCOF Progressive Workers and Traders’ Associations, Alhaji Munirudeen Adegoke, described Oseni’s empowerment drive as a strategic investment capable of reducing unemployment, youth restiveness and poverty.

‎Adegoke said meaningful empowerment for artisans and traders must go beyond temporary palliatives.

‎According to him, sustainable support requires deliberate policies that guarantee access to capital, improved infrastructure and social protection.

The Concerned Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ido Local Government Area of  Oyo State, have expressed strong opposition to what they described as alleged moves to replace or tamper with the party’s duly elected House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Abass Animasahun, urging leaders to respect the outcome of the primary election.

In a statement released on Friday by the group immediately after its meeting, the youths commended party leaders, elders, and stakeholders for their commitment, sacrifices, and contributions to the growth and stability of the APC in Ido Local Government, noting that their leadership has helped sustain unity within the party.

They also praised the conduct of the party’s House of Assembly primary election, which produced Hon. Abass Animasahun as candidate, describing the process as transparent, credible, and reflective of the true will of party members and delegates.

According to them, the outcome of the primary election represents the collective decision of party faithful and should be protected in the interest of internal democracy and fairness.

“The people have spoken through a legitimate process,” the statement said. “The mandate freely given by party members  must be respected and protected, as democracy can only thrive when the will of the people is upheld.”

The youths warned that any attempt to substitute or alter the outcome of the primary election could create unnecessary tension and dissatisfaction within the party structure in Ido Local Government Area.

They noted that such interference could also weaken party unity and discourage loyal members who participated in the electoral process in good faith.

“It is important to state clearly that any attempt to change or manipulate the mandate after a legitimate primary election may create avoidable crisis and division among party faithful,” the group warned.

Reaffirming their loyalty to the APC, the youths called on party leaders at all levels to stand firmly in defence of the primary election outcome and ensure that justice, fairness, and internal democracy are upheld.

They, however urged unity within the party, stressing that Ido Local Government must continue on a path of progress and stability, while warning against any action capable of reversing the gains already achieved.