Politics
LG administration, judiciary comatose under Makinde – Oyo APC alleges
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has again taken a swipe at Governor Seyi Makinde over an allegation that his administration has crippled virtually all institutions of democracy and governance in the state describing the development as unhealthy, dangerous and condemnable.
Oyo APC’s allegation, as learnt came against the backdrop of public outcry which has greeted the evident near-zero performance of local government council officials elected as chairmen and councillors as well as those appointed as secretaries and supervisory councillors to man the affairs of the third tier of government in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC also berated the decision of Gov. Makinde to shut down all Customary Courts across the state since May last year for inexplicable reasons and thus denying the people access to the services of the judiciary at the grassroots level.
“In Oyo state, today, the 33 local government councils and the 35 local council development areas offer little or nothing in terms of service to the masses even though huge monthly allocations come to them from the Federal Government. The reason for this sad situation is that council officials have no control over both the funds accrued from Abuja as well as the internally generated revenue since everything must find its way to the governor who decides on what to do with the monies.
“Gov. Makinde and the few men around him have turned funds meant for the effective and efficient running local government system in the state into their resources which they must control as they like. Every month, they design programmes and projects for these councils and then order a large chunk of money to be deducted from the source through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. They leave only the amount required to pay salary and wages.
“As a result of this, no single council chairman can do anything outside payment of salary to the staff and political office holders. This explains why handlers of these local government councils cannot meet up with the yearning of the masses while the state suffers for it a great deal. Community roads are in a deplorable shape, the whole environment is messy, roadside traders are everywhere and those expected to take responsibility are crippled.” Sadare lamented.
In another development, Oyo APC has called on Gov. Seyi Makinde to immediately reopen all Customary Courts he has reportedly closed down since May 2021 and also reconstitutes the body of law administrators and mediators constitutionally saddled with the running of these courts in the interest of justice and the citizenry. “Impeccable sources have it that Gov. Makinde ordered the closure of all the 165 Customary Court buildings and structures since May last year for no reason other than what he claimed to be their failure to generate enough revenue for the state.
“This open display of insensitivity has practically denied people access to the court at the grassroots level and thereby increase the rate of domestic violence, petty crimes and undue tension in the society. Also, about 495 judicial officers have been rendered jobless while nobody seems to care because a governor who is an expert in pretence and fake populism is involved here.
“Regrettably, the legislative arm made up of 27 PDP members out of a total of 32 cannot do anything to checkmate the excesses of Gov. Makinde who had cowed them to kick against the popular agitation for local government autonomy. The current Hon. Debo Ogundoyin -led House of Assembly needs to prove the bookmakers wrong by waking up from its slumber and demonstrate the willpower to serve the people of the state genuinely and a few individuals made of the governor and his cronies”, APC concluded.
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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