The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent media chat, describing the two-hour programme as a waste of time and accusing him of failing to address issues affecting residents.

The party said the governor should have used the opportunity to explain his administration’s response to insecurity, the state of public infrastructure and the management of funds received from the Federal Government.

The APC stated this in a statement issued on Monday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.

Makinde had appeared on a privately owned radio station in Ibadan on Sunday for a live interview during which he answered questions from a presenter.

However, the opposition party faulted the issues discussed during the programme, arguing that residents expected the governor to address pressing concerns affecting the state.

The APC also linked the reported resignation of the governor’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, to what it described as signs of internal challenges within the administration.

In the statement, the party said, “Many people have queried the choice of a privately owned radio station for Governor Makinde’s media engagement, but we all know that the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) has become moribund under him in the last seven years.”

It alleged that the corporation’s land resources had been sold at low prices, its studios neglected and its staff subjected to poor treatment.

The APC further accused Makinde of spending much of the interview discussing his alleged disagreement with President Bola Tinubu over his presidential ambition rather than explaining his administration’s use of federal allocations and other funds.

According to the party, the governor should also have addressed the abduction of 20 prospective corps members from Oyo State in Imo State and explained what support or compensation had been provided to the victims and their families following their release.

The APC said the governor should prioritise governance and public needs over what it described as misplaced political ambition.

The party also revisited Makinde’s reported position that his administration would not award new contracts from December 31, 2025, questioning the rationale for the proposed N21bn expenditure on the Agbowo Shopping Complex, which it described as moribund.

It urged the governor to reconsider the proposed spending.

A two-term former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Peter Oyetunji, has resigned from the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), accusing Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of neglecting Surulere Local Government.

Oyetunji, who represented Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere State Constituency, announced his resignation in a letter dated October 6 and addressed to the state chairman of the party.

The politician and town planner said his decision to leave the party was informed by what he described as unfulfilled promises to members and the absence of meaningful development in his local government.

He consequently asked the party to remove his name from its membership register at the state, local government and ward levels.

In the letter, Oyetunji lamented that Surulere had suffered years of neglect despite the support and loyalty of its people to the party and the governor.

“Within the last seven and a half years, there has been total blackout of meaningful development by the local government and the state government,” he said.

He added that Surulere had experienced “a complete neglect and absence of any meaningful people-oriented developmental project from state government”.

The former lawmaker also faulted the party’s leadership, alleging that it had become characterised by arrogance and deceit, with little regard for internal democracy, transparency and members’ welfare.

He further alleged that loyal and outspoken members who demanded accountability and progress had been subjected to deliberate gang-ups and victimisation.

“There have always been a deliberate gang-up and victimisation of loyal and outspoken members, who seek accountability and progress for the party and the people,” he said.

Explaining his decision to quit, Oyetunji said he could no longer justify remaining in the party after years of what he described as fruitless efforts.

“In view of the above, I can no longer in good conscience continue to remain in the party after eight years of fruitless effort,” he added.

The resignation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, although Oyetunji did not disclose his next political move in the letter.

Efforts to obtain responses from the party’s leadership and the governor’s office to the allegations were not reflected in the information available for this report.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Dr Olusola Ayandele, has faulted the claim by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, popularly known as Ijaya, that the Allied Peoples Movement controls the political landscape in Ibarapa.

Ayandele described the commissioner’s position as an illusion, insisting that the political strength of any party would ultimately be determined by votes cast during elections, rather than claims made at political gatherings.

He expressed confidence that the APC would secure massive votes across Ibarapa in the 2027 general elections, saying his recent mobilisation activities and those of other party stakeholders reflected growing support for the opposition party in the area.

Speaking on the political situation in the zone, the APC chieftain said the electorate had become more politically conscious and would assess parties and candidates based on their records, credibility and commitment to the people’s welfare.

“Ojo is simply living in an illusion that he has political strength in Ibarapa which he does not have. The era when politicians could deceive the people with empty propaganda and manufactured political structures is gone,” Ayandele said.

He added that the people would not be swayed by what he described as political grandstanding or claims of popularity that had yet to be demonstrated at the grassroots.

Ayandele maintained that his recent political engagement in Ibadan was not a publicity stunt but part of a broader mobilisation effort aimed at strengthening the APC across Ibarapa.

He said more political stakeholders and supporters were identifying with the party, expressing optimism that the development would translate into votes in the next general elections.

The APC chieftain challenged Ojo and the APM leadership to demonstrate their claimed political influence through electoral performance rather than public declarations.

“Political strength will ultimately be measured by votes cast at polling units and not by claims made at political gatherings,” he said.

Ayandele urged APC members and supporters in the area to intensify grassroots mobilisation and remain committed to the party ahead of the elections.

He said the 2027 polls would provide an opportunity for voters to assess the competing parties and decide which candidates they believed could best address their concerns.

“We welcome Ojo to the political contest. Let him continue to make his claims, but 2027 will be the ultimate test. When the votes are counted, the people of Ibarapa will demonstrate clearly where their confidence lies,” he said.

Ayandele also expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the presidential and senatorial contests, saying he expected voters in the zone to support President Bola Tinubu, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and other candidates of the party.

However, his projection of massive APC votes in Ibarapa remains a political claim ahead of the 2027 elections, with the eventual outcome to be determined by voters at the polls.