Politics
Oyo APC Challenges Makinde’s Opposition to Tinubu’s Fuel Subsidy Stance
Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent condemnation of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to stop payment of fuel subsidy as contained in his (Tinubu) inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.
Governor Makinde who addressed the audience during an Interfaith prayer session held at the Agodi Government Secretariat on Tuesday was reported to have blamed the worsening economic situation in the country on the Tinubu administration.
He specifically mentioned that the removal of fuel subsidy in May last year was done hastily and at a wrong time “thereby inflicting hardship on the citizenry”.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC urged the governor to shun grandstanding and learn to take responsibility for his personal failure in improving the economy of the state after collecting billions of naira in federal allocations, internally generated revenue, loans, grants among others in the last 55 months without anything to show for it.
“We had waited a few days expecting Governor Makinde to debunk or make clarification on the misleading statement credited to him in the media since Tuesday but this never happened. It is then obvious that a governor, in his second term in office, actually put the blame of the dwindling economy on a seven-month-old government at the centre even when the whole world knows he is part of the problem.
“As much as we would not delve into the culpability of Governor Makinde in the mismanagement of the nation’s petroleum resources, it is important we ask him to withdraw his criticism of President Bola Tinubu on the courageous and heroic decision to stop fuel subsidy payment by the federal government since it has been established that the policy was not only fraudulent but also counterproductive and economically suicidal.
“It is an undeniable fact that things took worse dimension for the residents of the country since May last year when the federal government announced total removal of subsidy on imported petroleum products especially premium motor spirit otherwise known as petrol but there is no better time for the government to take the bold decision than when it was done while there is high hope that the situation would return to normal in no time. Even all the leading candidates in the last presidential election had indicated their individual resolve to take similar steps if given the opportunity to rule Nigeria.
“As a matter of fact, most governors are responsible for the growing poverty in the land and Gov. Makinde is not an exception. Why would poverty not spread when a governor deliberately grounded the third tier of government in his state and this, denies officials from using the funds accruing to their councils to serve the masses? Why would poverty not spread in the land when a governor fails to create employment and wealth with the enormous resources at his disposal but he chooses to waste public funds on questionable contracts awarded at inflated costs?
“How would Oyo not be among poverty-stricken states in Nigeria when we have a governor whose achievement on commerce is the extinction of the Agbowo shopping complex where thousands of residents used to make a living? On agriculture, Gov. Makinde started by taking N7.6 billion loan with a promise to build farm estates and he has nothing to show after four years but he blames Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy. Last year, the same governor moved N3.35 bout of the Oyo state treasury ostensibly to purchase 105 units of plastic cars at the rate of a million per one, and less than 100 units were displayed months after. Nigerians should be the judge here”, Oyo APC lamented.
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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