Politics
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.”
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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