Politics
Fuel /Naira Scarcity Protests: Oyo APC accuses Makinde, PDP of sabotage
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has fingered Governor Seyi Makinde and the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the brains behind the pockets of protest being witnessed in parts of Ibadan ostensibly to express dissatisfaction with the current scarcity of fuel and the redesigned naira notes nationwide.
Residents of Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, woke up on Wednesday to see an assemblage of some youths in popular junctions such as Orita Challenge, Sango, Eleyele, Iwo Road, Ojoo, Agodi-Gate, Bodija-Oju’rin, Total Garden and Beere where they mounted road blocks while chanting anti-Federal Government and APC songs.
While reacting to the development through a statement issued today and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC appealed for calm and patience among the citizenry warning that violent protests and unrest would not solve the problems as “fuel and naira scarcity are the handiwork of some unpatriotic elements who want to frustrate the smooth conduct of the general election as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“There are all indications that the pockets of protest being witnessed in some major parts of Ibadan were coordinated and sponsored by the PDP government of Oyo state to frustrate the Presidential Rally of our great Party (APC) which was moved from Tuesday last week and rescheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) as it became imperative for us to act in the mood of the nation.
“Since it has been discovered that the scarcity situation was the brainchild of some anti-democratic forces, we have chosen not to play into their hands and we enjoin all well-meaning citizens of the country to reject all actions capable of derailing the schedule of the general election. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the candidate to beat for the presidential candidate and reality does not go down well with certain influential personalities who are now hellbent on instigating violence for obvious reasons.
“In the case of Oyo state, they have found a willing tool in the hands of the PDP governor and his party men who started with sponsoring of miscreants to vandalize campaign materials of all APC candidates, including those of Sen. Bola Tinubu and Sen. Kassim Shettima. Just last week, they brought out some misguided youth around the UI-Agbowo community to carry out needless protests and they discontinued their activities immediately after we announced the postponement of the event. Meanwhile, we have some unimpeachable facts regarding the identities of the real sponsors and coordinators of these violent protests and they are all domiciled around Agodi Government House.
“Today again which is the eve of the rescheduled Presidential Rally, we have started getting reports of coordinated protests all over the city of Ibadan. Ordinarily, we should all be involved in peaceful protests against the hardship foisted on the citizenry by the NNPC and CBN but a critical appraisal of the development got us convinced that civil unrest should not be encouraged. We need diplomacy and courage to free Nigeria from the shackles of domestic colonialists and this is what the like of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and Sen. Teslim Folarin preach at this crucial time.
“Rather than seeing the current imbroglio as an opportunity to fester his penchant for populism and bad politicking by encouraging protest against the federal government, Governor Makinde should join Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Yahaya Bello and Dr. Abdullah Ganduje of Kaduna, Kogi and Kano states respectively in fighting for the rights of the masses through legal means as being done at the Supreme Court at the moment. Oyo governor should also borrow a leaf from his Ogun state counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, by instructing residents to await the final decision of the court on the suit challenging the February 10, 23 deadlines for the expiration of the old naira notes if indeed, he is pro-masses”, APC said.
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.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
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