The All Progressives Congress (APC),  in Oyo State has berated Governor Seyi Makinde and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over what it described as a fresh wave of political violence in the state.

The party said residents across the state deserved peace and stability even as they look forward to what it called a post-PDP era beginning from May 29, 2027.

Tension reportedly gripped parts of the state on Saturday when factions within the ruling PDP allegedly clashed during the conduct of a parallel Local Government Congress.

The development, according to reports, further highlighted the lingering internal crisis within the ruling party in the state.

Reacting to the incident, the APC, in a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, accused Makinde of worsening the concerns of residents by allegedly encouraging threats and violent confrontations among members of his party.

Sadare also faulted the governor over what he described as the government’s inability to adequately tackle security challenges such as kidnapping and banditry in parts of the state.

“The minds of many citizens were cast back to the days of political violence and unrest on Saturday when they witnessed how sponsored thugs and other criminal elements unleashed terror on PDP members who were opposed to the reported high-handedness and egocentric leadership style of Governor Makinde,” Sadare said.

He added that the aggrieved members of the PDP allegedly organised a separate ward congress which was reportedly disrupted by hoodlums in areas including Ibarapa North, Iseyin, Ibadan North-East and Ibadan North, among other local government areas.

“We recalled that the same set of hoodlums and their now out-of-favour leader, who is currently behind bars on the order of his estranged godfather, were responsible for a series of attacks against leaders and members of the APC during the electioneering period of the last general elections,” he stated.

“This time, it was brothers against brothers as factions within the PDP struggled to take control of the party structure.”

Sadare further alleged that while some thugs were deployed to disrupt the Local Government Congress, another group of hoodlums was mobilised to attack the Ibadan residence of a prominent PDP chieftain.

“An army of vicious hoodlums was mobilised to the Ibadan home of a chieftain of the party where they destroyed many cars and properties worth several billions of naira,” he stressed.

“They also inflicted varying degrees of injuries on men and women believed to be loyal to the faction associated with Nyesom Wike.”

Condemning the development, the APC spokesman urged Makinde to adopt dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving political disagreements.

“While this development remains condemnable, we urge Governor Makinde to have a rethink and learn to employ dialogue as a potent tool in resolving disputes and not violence or confrontation,” Sadare added.

He also called on security agencies to investigate the incidents with a view to identifying the perpetrators and their sponsors, stressing that the state could not afford a return to the era of widespread political violence.

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 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.