Politics
Congress: Photos of Gambo Lawan-led committee at Oyo APC secretariat surface
The October 30 state congress of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo state, is not yet over as claims and counter claims made by the leaders, stakeholders and the State Congress Committee Chairman, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, still trail the exercise.
Speaking on Monday, the State’s Congress Chairman, Lawan denied that four members of the committee, including, Mr Lanre Edun, Mallam Abdullai Kontagora, Mr Diran Iyantan and Chief Ralph Igbokwe, who allegedly opted out of the assignment based on unresolved controversy surrounding the alleged ‘fake delegates’ list’, earlier raised by the party secretariat and leaders in the state, were not on the list of members handed over to him in Abuja.
Lawan further claimed three other members joined the Secretary to conduct the Congress.
However, pictorial evidence obtained by Mega Icon Magazine on Monday revealed that the four members who had earlier distanced self from the said congress are authentic members of the Oyo State Congress Committee
The critical scanning of the pictures taken at the Stakeholders Meeting of the All Progressives Congress held at the party Secretariat in Ibadan , last Friday have confirmed that the four members who distanced themselves from the purported congress are authentic members of the committee.
In these pictures,the four members sat at the high table with the Chiarman of the committee,Gambo Lawan to meet stakeholders at the party secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
To the far left is Abubakar Abdullah in white. Next to him is Chief Ralph Igbokwe, Preace Chikelue,only female member in the team ; Gambo Lawan, the Chairman, Chief Akin Oke,Chairman of APC in Oyo State, Abdullai Bello,Secretary of the Congress Committee,Hon Diran Iyatan and Hon Olawale Edun.
Alh Gambo Lawan handing over the alleged fake delegates’ list to Oyo APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke on Friday at the Oke -Ado party secretariat, Ibadan
It will be recalled that the outgoing chairman of the party in the state, Chief Akin Oke and the stakeholders, had on Friday evening, , raised an alarm over the delegates’ list handed over to him by the Alhaji Gambo Lawan-led State’s Congress Committee, insisting that the said list do not reflect the results which emanated from the Ward and Local Government Congresses as done on July 31 and September 4, 2021 respectively.
State Congress Committee List obtained
The Oyo APC stakeholders, thereafter, appealed to the national leadership of the party to reconsider its decision on the state congress already scheduled for Saturday till an authentic delegates’ list is provided, just as they called on the leaders of the party to investigate and punish those responsible for the false list appropriately.
But, the Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, had earlier informed that he had directed his Secretary, Bello Abdulai to conduct the state congress since he was prevented from leaving his hotel for several hours, by unknown hoodlums alleged to be sponsored by some members of the party who did not want the congress to hold.
It was also gathered that four of the seven members in the State congress committee have allegedly opted out of the assignment and hurriedly returned to Abuja.
The four members , Mr Lanre Edun, Mallam Abdullai Kontagora, Mr Diran Iyantan and Chief Ralph Igbokwe, according to sources, had argued at a meeting of the committee Friday night that the protest against the delegates’ list presented at the Stakeholders meeting should not be dismissed if the party would be reconciled for the 2023
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.
-
News1 week agoEid: Oseni Calls for Vigilance, Lauds Security Operatives
-
Politics6 days agoAlli, Folarin, Adedeji, Oseni, Dare Named to APC Ekiti Re-election Campaign Team
-
News1 week agoOyo Abduction: SWEGOP Demands Swift Rescue of Pupils, Teachers
-
News1 week agoFG Declares May 27, 28 Public Holidays for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration
