Politics
N3.5b Debt: Nigerians won’t allow you to become a full despot; Oyo APC tells Makinde to pay sacked LG officials
The Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated Governor Seyi Makinde over his refusal to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding the payment of entitlements of all the local government council officials who were illegally sacked from office in 2019 warning that Nigerians would not watch him (Makinde) become a full despot in the nation’s democratic space.
Mega Icon Magazine recalled that Governor Makinde, on his first day in office in May 2019, sacked all the local government council officials elected during the tenure of his predecessor, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and this resulted in litigation up till the Apex Court where the governor was indicted and mandated to pay his victims all their entitlement for the remaining two years they were denied out of their three-year tenure.
In a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC frowned at the decision of Governor Makinde to resort to intimidation and blackmail of the deprived Chairmen and councilors rather than comply with the judgment of the courts describing the development as disturbing, embarrassing and unbecoming of any leader in a democratic setting.
“It beats the imagination of many pundits and political watchers across the globe that a governor who swore to an oath to defend the nation’s constitution but now turned out to be the one desecrating the sacred document. Gov. Makinde left no one in doubt of his mission to rule with an iron hand and total disregard for the rule of law when he ordered the sack of elected council officials on his first day in office without any recourse to the law of the land.
“But rather than employ confrontation and violence, his victims took their case to the lower court where their prayers for reinstatement were expressly granted. The judgment of the Federal High Court was appealed by the state government up to the Apex Court and at every stage, Gov. Makinde lost out since the law is so apt on the administration of all the three tiers of government without one being allowed to swallow or strangulate the other.
“In the history of the nation’s democracy, there has been a time that a governor would discountenance the verdict of the Supreme Court and this call the bluff of the judiciary brazenly as Gov. Makinde is doing at the moment. The governor has not only defied the court, he has also made it a habit to throw tantrums and jibes at the court in public over a verdict that went against him. Reports have it that about 27 of the sacked officials died recently as they could not get money to treat one ailment or the other.
“To save the society from dire consequences of Gov. Makinde’s recklessness and abuse of power, the onus now lies on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and other relevant authorities to stop Gov. Makinde from making a mockery of the judiciary as his current attitude poses a grave danger to the nation’s democracy. When a governor displays brazen disregard for the Supreme Court and disrespect for the entire judiciary, he is laying a bad precedent and this has to be checked without further delay as the issue goes beyond APC versus PDP.” Oyo APC stated.
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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