Politics
Oyo APC cautions Akinjide to desist from campaign of calumny against Tinubu
Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its dismay over alleged calculated attempts by a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide-Pategi, to discredit and run down the APC presidential candidate in the next month election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a view to winning the electorate over for her choice candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Oloye Jumoke Akinjide-Pategi, a former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, had appeared on some local radio stations in the last one week to mobilize support for Atiku Abubakar and in the course of her submission and assertion, she reportedly made Senator Bola Tinubu an object of verbal attacks and blackmail.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC condemned the former minister who it accused of promoting a campaign of calumny against an established political figure whose time has come to rule the country and move it forward as desired by patriots and well-meaning citizens of the country.
“We have been inundated with unpleasant feedback from members of the public who had listened to all the sponsored interviews granted by Mrs Akinjide-Pategi in the last few days wherein she made futile attempts to tell barefaced lies against the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the presidential candidate of our great Party in the next month election. This is nothing but unacceptable malfeasance coming from a fry with a shameful political background.
“It is a height of insensitivity for somebody who has neither won any election in her life nor has someone in her family with any electoral victory now trying to pull down an accomplished personality who has never lost any election anywhere. It would have been better for her (Akinjide-Pategi) to find a better ploy with which she could earn patronage from Atiku than seeking attention using Tinubu’s name because no amount of smear campaigns and character assassination from unscrupulous elements would make voters turn against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“With this development, it is easy for Nigeria to conclude that history is repeating itself because of the unfortunate role played by the father of the person, in question, in 1979 and 1983 when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was denied the chance to emerge as the nation’s President has a big space in the book of history. Also, another eminent Yoruba son (Chief M.K.O Abiola) had his popular mandate annulled in 1993 and the whole world knows the culpability of the same family the one waging war against Sen. Bola Tinubu now.
“If money and political patronage are what matters to Akinjide, we urge her to remember the fate which befell her and others in 2015 when they travelled a similar route with former President Good luck Jonathan and got humiliated at the poll. It is on record that a huge sum of money regarded as campaign funds which she collected from Abuja was mismanaged and this caused her to be arrested and prosecuted by the EFCC and we have not seen the end of that case up till even after she had pleased for a plea bargain in an apparent admission of corruption and stealing of public funds.
“If what most citizens across the country demonstrate as a show of support and endorsement for the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Project on account of competence, track record and promise does not appeal to the likes of Mrs Akinjide-Pategi, we would encourage them to thread softly and stop fighting dirty in the political space over a lost cause. Nigerians want Tinubu as their next president and there is nothing which the enemies of the country can do about it this time”, Oyo APC said.
Meanwhile, Oyo APC has applauded the former deputy governor of the state, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, for “his recent heroic activities aimed at achieving all-round victory for the party at this year’s general election. “It is worthy of note that His Excellency, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan is doing a wonderful job at the moment to mobilize support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Sen. Teslim Folarin as well as all other candidates of the APC and we shall not take this for granted.” The statement 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.
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