Politics
LG Elections: Why Lagelu APC Will Not Partake – Oyo Reps Member, Olafisoye
…Says Leaders, Stakeholders Unite On Decision
A member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Olafsoye Akinmoyede Wasiu on Saturday cleared the air on the insinuation that he was the brain behind the withdrawal of the Lagelu local government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the forthcoming local government election, stressing that the decision was unanimously made by all the leaders and stakeholders in the council and communicated to the State Executive committee of the party.
Mega Icon Magazine recalled that the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) had earlier fixed April 27, 2024, for the conduct of the local government election, and the major opposition party, APC had announced its readiness to fully participate in the said election.
However, some members of the party had alleged that the federal lawmaker, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede better known as ‘Lafi’, single-handedly prevailed on the leaders of the party from fielding candidates for either the chairman or councilors across the 14 wards in Lagelu Local government area.
Reacting to the allegation, Lafi stated that he has no power to control or influence any member from exercising his right to contest for any election, adding that the decision was made by the leaders at a stakeholders meeting held at the party Chairman’s house on Monday, August 7, 2023, to discuss on the subject matter and in the best interest of the members of the party who are yet to recover from the financial losses they suffered during the last general election in the State.
In his words, “On the forthcoming local government elections, all the APC leaders in Lagelu local government held a stakeholders meeting and after due consultation with members, they came to the painful conclusion that our party in Lagelu will not field candidates for the election on the ground that the local government election has always been winner takes it all affairs with the ruling party taking it all.
‘In our wisdom, we considered it unworthy to allow members to spend their hard-earned money and other resources in an election where it is evident that the ruling party will clear everything across the 33 local government areas in the State.
“We also took into consideration the losses of individuals and all party members at large in the recently concluded general elections who are yet to recover from their respective losses should they decide to commit another resource in another election which is to be conducted by an electoral umpire put in place by the ruling party in the state.
“In my contribution at the said meeting, I drew the attention of the leaders to the fact that winner takes it all affairs during the local government election is not peculiar to Oyo State alone as it has been practiced by state governors in all the 36 states of the federation that the ruling party in control of government will clear all the local government council election I also cited the example of 2018 when the APC led administration under the late Abiola Ajimobi conducted and cleared all the 68 local government areas including local council development areas and 620 councilors.
“For the above-stated reasons, the leaders, party executives, ward chairmen, and other critical stakeholders unanimously agreed not to participate in the election that the outcome is already known will be won 100 percent by the ruling party no matter the efforts committed to it by the opposition parties.
“I now wonder why such a decision is being attributed to me alone, but I consider it as the handiwork of my traducers who are hell-bent on tarnishing my image for reasons best known to them”, the lawmaker 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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