Politics
Ayandele to Oyo APC delegates : Go for gold on Saturday
ONE of the leading gubernatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Dr. Olusola Ayandele on Wednesday called on party faithful and stakeholders, particularly those eligible to participate as delegates in the party’s governorship primary billed for this Saturday, to consider merit above all other things and choose him as the Oyo APC standard bearer for the next year general election.
The Central Working Committee of the APC had announced September 29, 2018 as the date for the conduct of primaries for the emergence of candidates who would fly the party’s flag in about 31 states of the federation as this concerns the determination of the successor to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State whose second term in office ends on May 29, 2019.
In a statement issued and made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Director-General of his campaign organization, Hon. Ademola Ojo, Dr. Ayandele urged the leadership of the APC in Oyo State to walk the talk and guarantee a level playing ground for all the gubernatorial aspirants cleared in Abuja to contest the party primary on Saturday.
“There is no denying the fact that all eyes are on Oyo APC to present a worthy successor to Sen. Ajimobi who has done so much to put the state on the global map of developed societies. Going by the array of credible contestants which the ruling party parades at the moment, it is important to note that merit consideration is key in order to pick the best from the pack.
“Within a short period of time, an Olusola Ayandele, who was popular for recording many giant strides in both the private and public sectors of the global economy, took the political space by a storm and was able to showcase rare determination, passion and willingness to serve the people with a lot of promise in the areas of pragmatic and compassionate leadership.
“We painstakingly took the message of hope to the door steps of all stakeholders regardless of the distance and logistics involved. This enabled party faithful including members, elders and leaders to have a firsthand knowledge of our programmes, ideas and commitment. In addition, we went further to meet with traditional rulers, religious leaders, interest groups as well as the people of the grassroots who all gave their support.
“Meanwhile, the onus now lies in the hands of delegates for the party primary on Saturday to erase any doubt about the appropriateness of the choice of Dr. Olusola Ayandele as the undisputed standard bearer of the Oyo APC in the 2019 governorship election. Eligible party executive committee members at all levels, statutory delegates and elected political office holders including chairmen and councillors have a date with history.
“An Ayandele ticket would not only guarantee the party (APC) an easy win at the governorship poll in 2019 but it would also facilitate a total victory for all other candidates to be presented by the party. All the geopolitical zones in the Pacesetters State would be provided with equal sense of belonging while all the key sectors would get the right attention to ensure that Oyo State completed its journey to full greatness in no time as envisioned by the incumbent governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi”, the statement concluded.
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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