Politics
N8b Project: Bring Out Your Structural Designs, Oyo APC Challenges Makinde
As controversies continued to trail the plans by the Oyo State Government to award an eight billion naira contract for the proposed reconstruction of the Iwo Road Interchange in the state capital, Ibadan, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has again challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to show to the world his idea of the project before making any financial commitment.
Oyo APC, in a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, said that Governor Makinde did not need to waste resources on mobilization of footsoldiers to defend the plan which according to the party was “dead on arrival since the governor could not sound convincing on what exactly he wanted to do and how he came about a contract sum without any record of due diligence.
“The modern Oyo State as evolved by the immediate past APC administration is a work-in-progress and there is no point for us as a progressive party to oppose any development stride of the PDP government provided that it is genuine, realistic and reasonable. But in the case of this eight billion naira Interchange reconstruction as well as the projects tied to the N17.6b loans secured so far, we demand a probe for the sake of the masses.
“It does not bother us whether Governor Makinde runs to Rivers State to get a fake project prototype or he mobilizes footsoldiers to attack us for asking salient questions over the way he spends government money at his disposal, we would not watch or fold our arms as he continues to govern the people of the Pacesetter State with only the words of mouth and little or no action.
“We would continue to ask Governor Makinde about the availability of any engineering or structural designs of the planned project, advertisements of Tender as required by law, any communication with the Federal Government or the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing which had included the same Interchange reconstruction in two different ongoing road projects as well as any evidence of project conceptualization and valuation before arriving at the contract sum.
“The Makinde administration has earned itself a popularity for putting the cart before the horse in all cases. It announced the full implementation of free education policy before determining what goes with it. The same government made public how he would build its local economy around maize export before determining what volume of perennial harvest it could get while few days ago, it stated its readiness to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue base to N20b in few months even without any concrete plan to achieve it.
“Apart from the fact that Oyo State is too big for experimental governance, we urge the governor to do away with the urge to grow his political influence beyond his base at all cost by playing a Father Christmas with the state resources. The premature ambition to be the leader of the PDP in the South West as well as the resolve to bankroll the electioneering of the candidate of his party in Kogi State in the next month gubernatorial poll should not be at the expense of the masses of Oyo State.” Adejumo added.
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.
-
News7 days agoEid: Oseni Calls for Vigilance, Lauds Security Operatives
-
News1 week agoEid-El-Kabir: JTF warns of Boko Haram, ISWAP attacks
-
Politics4 days agoAlli, Folarin, Adedeji, Oseni, Dare Named to APC Ekiti Re-election Campaign Team
-
News7 days agoOyo Abduction: SWEGOP Demands Swift Rescue of Pupils, Teachers
