Politics
Enough of lies, propaganda – Oyo APC UK caucus chair replies rebels, debunks sack rumour
Chairman, Oyo State Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United Kingdom, Elder Kolawole Saidu has dismissed rumours of his purported sack by some members of the group, describing it as a misrepresentation of fact and efforts by some party members to instigate unnecessary crisis.
Saidu also described the alleged sponsored report as a deliberate smear campaign and a ploy by some excessively ambitious elements to tarnish his image and that of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Caucus chairman added that those using his allegedly overstay in office as a propaganda has only “joined us or became active recently after or in July this year”.
In a chat with newsmen on Thursday from the United Kingdom, Saidu advised that the orchestrated campaigns of calumny, cheap propaganda, outright falsehood and mundane attempt to malign the group and its executives will not benefit the sponsors and the party.
He disclosed that the rebels are desperate to hijack the leadership of the Party for personal benefits; both in Nigeria and the UK.
In his words, “there is nothing bad if you do not believe in the leadership of a group. You can leave without rocking the boat as a man of conscience and gentleman instead acting deceitfully and embarrassing everyone on the social media using deliberate mistruth.
“Those we took with open arms as brothers who have never been active in the caucus before July this year are the one that have constituted themselves to a group that think they are superior to the rest of us flouting the constitution of the party in a very fragrant way making spurious allegations. I reached out to a number of them but they are recalcitrant and adamant to reasoning and have never offered any best way forward to the one I offered. It has be their way or never
“Social media cannot legitimise illegality. It will only embarrass the party and all of us”, the Chairman counseled.
Saidu continued, “Contrary to what our detractors are pedalling, I have never gone against my promise. I said election would take place and we all agreed way back in January this year.
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. The people who accused us of lack of transparency when the “rules of the game” of election was still being perfected two months to the election time are the same people who rushed to the social media perverting the constitution and arrogating power they do not have to themselves. What an irony!
“We will follow and defend the constitution in all we do. You do not become the Chairman of a group through the backdoor. You work for it and pay your dues as at when due and not engaging in “fire brigade” approach fuelled by inordinate ambition to destroy or rubbish what others have built over the years.”
“When you maligned or have to destroy the reputations of others to get to the top, be rest assured that there is law of retributive justice waiting for you as well.
“I want to assure you all that those who are causing mischief among us will be identified and dealt with based on the Party’s constitutional provisions for anti-party activities. No one begs anyone to belong to the party. If you can not respect the rules, be decent enough to leave without causing disaffection”.
The Chairman, however assured that the constituted electoral body will soon come out with their guidelines which will strictly be informed by the provisions of the party’s constitution, maintaining that there would be no bending of rules or provisions of the constitution to suit the whims and caprices of anyone in the name of peace.
“The Party Chairman in Nigeria has advised that we should follow the constitution and ensure that we carry along party echelons both in the UK here and Nigeria”, Saidu submitted.
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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