Politics
Makarfi’s visit signals end of APC – Seyi Makinde
Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2015 elections in Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has declared that the visit of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi to the state was a signal for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to pack their belongings out of the government houses.
Makinde spoke when he received Makarfi and top stalwarts of the PDP at his Ikolaba Ibadan residence on Thursday.
Those who accompanied Makarfi to Makinde’s house include Senator Abdul Ningi, Hon. Dokun Odebunmi, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Professor Jerry Gana, Dr. Saka Balogun, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Senator Hosea Agboola, Hon. Muraina Ajibola and Hon. Mulikat Adeola among others.
Makinde while speaking said that the visit of the stalwarts was a good signal to the ruling party to pack their loads at the federal and states levels.
He said, “It is a signal to the ruling party that they should pack their loads out of the government houses.
“Imposition forced us to leave PDP in 2015, we informed the national leadership but they did not listen to us and the chairman has said that all that has become thing of the past.
“There are still discussions, the issue of internal democracy, the issue of impunity, it is the conditions to be meet.
“I have been a part of efforts by Professor Jerry Gana talking to us in SDP, we have been concerned, been talking, like I said from 2002 I have been in PDP before the 2003 elections and I worked for my father Senator Rasidi Ladoja.
“PDP is our natural habitat, we went back to PDP in 2015 because that is our natural habitat.
“In 2015, I also tried to contest in PDP, I had to leave again. Why is because national executive at that time also refused to give us a level playing ground at that time.
“What I want is that guarantee of internal democracy. PDP is my natural habitat, I can say I am 99 percent in PDP.
Makarfi had earlier told the gathering that the visit to Makinde was a continuation of the PDP reconcilatory move to ensure former members of the party are back and woo new members.
He said “This is a continuation of our interaction, even before we came, I believed Professor Jerry Gana had meet some leaders including Chief Olu Falae and we have been talking on how move forward, for consolidation for the sake of Nigeria and Oyo State.
Makarfi then condemned the spate of insecurity, inflation, bad governance and unemployment saying Nigeria belongs to everybody and not only the APC.
He said ” All kinds of insecurity in parts of the country, Nigeria belongs to all of us, there is a need for democratic leaders to come together.
“We have learnt our lessons, our aim is to have internal democracy”.
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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