Politics
Kanu: Fayose Hails S’East Governors, Says Buhari Can’t Bully Opposition
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has commended governors of the South-east states for their Wednesday’s meeting with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
He said: “The meeting has provided a veritable platform which all Igbos must key into otherwise they will remain guinea pig as long as this country exists.”
The governor, who appealed to the federal government to allow political solutions to agitations by Nigerians as against the use of brute force, which, he said had become the hallmark of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, said he remained committed to the call for full and total restructuring of Nigeria through dialogue and negotiation because it was too late for Nigeria to disintegrate.
Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday that Fayose said he was “particularly glad that South-east governors have come to the realisation that they cannot ignore their own in times like this as agitations are normal and must not be ignored, although the approach should be handled with caution.”
He blamed the actions and utterances of President Buhari for the agitations going on in the country, saying; “The father figure of this country is President Buhari and if his language does not represents unity, there will be agitations like we are witnessing now.
“A father figure rallies even the bad boys in his house. His utterances and actions when he became President were against the unity of this country. How can a president say that he will only attend to the needs of those who gave him 97 per cent vote and neglect others who didn’t vote for him.
“For Nigeria to move forward and in unity; there must be no sectionalism, there must be no oppression and there must be justice and equity.”
The governor, who commended the northern leaders for standing up to ensure that the Arewa youths’ quit notice against the Igbos in the North was resolved and withdrawn without necessarily arresting and detaining anyone, said; “I am sure that the same can be achieved by the Igbo leaders as arresting or re-arresting Kanu may be counterproductive as it may be perceived as vilification of the entire South-east geopolitical, zone and not necessarily Kanu as a person.”
The statement read in part- “This meeting has provided a veritable platform, which all Igbos must key into otherwise they will remain guinea pig as long as this country exists.
“That His Royal Highness, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, the father of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and elder-statesman, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), were part of the meeting is a sign of strong determination and unity on the part of the South-east leaders and their governors, which I believe will end up in the amicable resolution of all issues involved, especially by pro-Biafra activists, especially the IPOB.
“While I appeal to the federal government to allow political solutions to agitations by Nigerians as against the use of brute force, which, regrettably, has become the hallmark of this administration, I remain committed to the call for full and total restructuring of Nigeria through dialogue and negotiation. Even though it is too late for Nigeria to disintegrate, we do not need APC kind of restructuring.”
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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