Politics
APC primaries: Oyo guber aspirant, Owolabi urges delegates to vote according to conscience
DR Owolabi Babalola, a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Thursday called on party delegates to vote according to their conscience in the forthcoming primary election ahead of the 2019 general elections billed for Saturday.
Babalola, who made the call during his familiarization visit to the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also expressed his readiness to run the affairs of the state, stressing that he aims to pursue an agenda to bring people out of poverty.
While expressing confidence that he will get the support needed to do what is best for the state, the guber hopeful added, “with all sense of humility, I bring to the table over a quarter of a century contemplation and rigorous intellectual involvement in development. Having also been at the critical juncture of policy formulation and integration, I think over time, I have been primed for this position.
“I am more than convinced that I will get the support that is necessary to push further, an agenda that is pro-poor for the collective good of our citizens in Oyo state.”
Speaking further, the University of Jos-trained-medical doctor described members of the party who will be taking part in the process at the delegates conference as people of very strong conviction, but, urged them to bare in mind that the average man on the street is now more politically conscious and more aware of the powers of his voting right.
“I am persuaded that our party leadership is well aware of that, and they are going to vote accordingly, not to the dictate of individuals but of course, according to that which they hold as sacrosanct values of the APC”, he said.
He commended the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Akin Oke for enduring when Nigeria was under despotic military control, just as he noted that he was not thinking of reinventing the wheel. “We hope every home will be able to put food on the table, we will work to ensure that every worker has a living wage. We will attend to infrastructural deficit, we will continue the transformation that no road of any lesser standard will be constructed anymore, I assure you that I crave for one additional thing, that is your support”.
When asked what he would do if he failed to clinch the governorship ticket, the aspirant submitted, “all well and good, I am assured that we have all subscribed to the process that will dovetail into the emergence of a single candidate. And I am sure, whoever that candidate is, will be the very best among us that will fly the flag to ensure that the APC continues to remain the party to beat in Oyo state and in the Southwest of Nigeria.”
Babalola also informed that during his time as Commissioner for Health under the Adebayo Alao-Akala administration, he went beyond achievements in health to development programmes and post conflict reconstruction. He hinted that his cabinet experience makes him more aware of the challenges, the strength and the low hanging fruits, that could become great opportunities to bring democratic dividends to the people.
He, also recalled his accomplishments in the state’s health sector, revealing that he was first to introduce the state social health insurance scheme to the whole of the federation.
He said, “I was a critical part of national strategic framework for health and its implementation.
“And for the very first time in the history of Oyo state, we have the most advanced health care information management system that I evolved, arguably the best in sub Sahara Africa, attested to by the multilateral instruments of global governance, such as UNICEF, WHO, and the likes.
Responding, Chief Oke, who declared that only one candidate would emerge at the primaries, welcomed him on behalf of the party and wished him the very best.
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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