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Akintola’s attacks on Makinde unfounded, made in bad blood – Aide
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, has described comments credited to a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Niyi Akintola (SAN), as one largely informed by bad blood and undue politicking.
The spokesman, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan, stated that it was regrettable that the learned silk stood facts and logic on the head in a failed attempt to praise-sing and eulogise the same APC leaders he had rightly castigated for woeful performance in the build-up to the 2019 election.
The statement read: “The learned silk claimed in one instance that the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi completed the Restoration Bridge in seven months, but facts available have shown that it took the Ajimobi administration not fewer than 13 months to complete that bridge, even with the hefty support from the Federal Government.
“He also claimed that Ajimobi followed a template already established by the former Governor Rashidi Ladoja administration. But that is certainly less than half-truth and it didn’t take much efforts for the people to decipher that the immediate past administration in Oyo was nowhere near the vision of Chief Ladoja.
“The people of Oyo State clearly gave meaning to their conjectures by loudly rejecting Ajimobi’s government and investing their votes in Governor Seyi Makinde on March 9, 2019. The governor had, during the campaigns, projected the fresh vision for political stability and economic growth in the state.
“The issue of think-tank is not a matter for newspaper or broadcast advertisement. They didn’t call it a market square body but a think-tank. If the governor does not have a think-tank, is it he (Akintola) that is not in government that would know?
“It is unthinkable for any educated person to think that another educated person would not follow procedures that are normal. What we are sure of is that people like Chief Akintola will want to keep being in the news ahead of coming elections, so, they want to say just anything, even half-truths, to remain relevant.”
Akintola had also mentioned that the government of Engineer Makinde was built on “populism and de-marketing,” adding that the government in place in Oyo State has not put one block on the other in one year.
“Let it be placed on record that the business of the government of the day in Oyo State is to ensure security of lives and property, enhance the health of everyone; promote free and qualitative education and activate economic growth using the Agriculture value chain as bedrock.
“It is a pity Chief Akintola is blinded to the Light-Up Oyo State project, which received special mention in the British parliament; reduced criminality and enhanced night life; the breath-taking free education policy, which is winning applauses across the country; the investment initiatives that is about to turn around the fortunes of the state’s economy; the ongoing construction of Moniya/Iseyin road; the initiatives on Farm Estates and Agribusiness and the payment of over N3 billion to pensioners in less than 12 months, whereas the immediate past administration paid N1.4 billion in 96 months of its existence.
“One also needs to put it on record that the government of Engineer Makinde is not concerned about de-marketing the APC, but serving the people to its utmost. The governor has only insisted that he will not hesitate to question any of the operatives of the past government who has issues to clear and he has remained to committed to that resolve. Certainly, only those with skeletons in their cupboards would lay claim to any form of so-called de-marketing.
“One is not opposed to Chief Akintola mending fences with his estranged colleagues in the APC, but we will not allow him use unfounded allegations against Governor Makinde as the ladder for his fence-mending activities.
”It is, however, acknowledged that he tried to be fair for once by commending Governor Makinde for the wonderful work done in rebranding the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan, a Centre the NCDC has declared would not just serve the state and Nigeria, but the entire Africa.”
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
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.
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