Politics
Ex-Oyo lawmaker, Olafisoye backs Buhari’s decision on electoral bill
A former Chief Whip in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede better known as Lafi has said that Nigerians have lost confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that is why it is difficult to see anything good in whatever action he takes as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He stated this while speaking on the controversy surrounding the refusal of President Buhari to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly which approved conduct of Direct Primary election for various political parties to pick their candidates.
Akinmoyede , who represented Lagelu State constituency between 2015 and 2019, maintained that what the President has done was the best thing considering the peculiarities and constitution of each of the political parties as well as the excessive financial implication and shortage of staff that would be needed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the primaries of all the political parties.
He stressed further that apart from the cost implication stated above, the direct primary might create more crisis in the political space in the country that is still battling with insecurity.
According to him, this aspect of the direct primary contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is beyond the National Assembly containing 109 Senators and 360 House of Representatives members alone. “What the Lawmakers should have done before passing the bill was to subject it to public debate in all the 774 local government areas of the federation to seek people’s opinion.
“This aspect of electoral process is something that affects the entire Nigerians. So consideration of this bill must be in the overall interest of over 200 million people irrespective of their political inclinations.” he maintained.
Speaking further on the internal crisis that trailed the ward, local and state congresses elections conducted so far by the APC in some states especially Oyo, the former lawmaker noted that such misunderstanding was normal in a big party with many gladiators like the APC for democracy to thrive.
He expressed optimism that the misunderstanding would be resolved and strengthen the party ahead of the 2023 election.
“APC has constitution which stipulates that the Governor is the leader of the party in each state but where there is no sitting governor, the former governor, if any, shall be the leader. So in the case of Oyo State, we don’t have sitting governor and the only former Governor we have at present is Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala. He is therefore automatically the leader of the party in Oyo State while Chief Akin Oke is the acting State Chairman until the substantive state Chairman of the party is sworn in.”
Lafisoye who ruled out the possibility of conducting any fresh state congress election in the state said such will be challenged and upturned by the court.
He disclosed that the leadership of the party are working on harmonizing the list of executive so as to accommodate all interested factions for peace to reign.
While calling on all gladiators in the party to sheath their sword in the interest of the party, Hon. Lafisoye advised any aspirant who sees himself as serious contender for gubernatorial election to come out and propagate himself instead of thinking that the ticket would be brought to him in his house.
When asked on his intention for the 2023 election, Lafisoye who is also a former council boss hinted that though there was already established rotational arrangement between Akinyele/Lagelu for picking candidate for Federal House of Representatives, he would embark on wide consultation among the stakeholders and weigh the credibility of aspirants from other parties as well before making his final decision on whether to contest or not for the Federal House of Representatives seat.
According to him, “based on the rotational arrangement that exists between Akinyele and Lagelu local government for the selection of our representative for the Federal House of Representatives, presently our representative is from Akinyele. During the 2019 election, all the political parties including PDP, APC, ADC and ADP conceded the ticket to Akinyele local government to present candidates.
“In 2023, it is the turn of Lagelu local government to present candidate. I hope the gladiators in these two local governments will abide by this arrangement. I will capitalise on this to embark on consultation within the leaders and stakeholders for their support.
“But if they say otherwise, I will only support any candidate who is original indigene of Lagelu local government, well brought up and has the charisma to give us effective representation.” He said.
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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