Politics
Oyo APC Faults Makinde’s Claim, Says NAHCOM Refunds N24.6 Million To Hajj Pilgrims
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized Governor Seyi Makinde over what it described as misinformation and falsehood being dished out to the public on the total refunds of N24.6 million made to the State pilgrims to this year Hajj in Saudi Arabia by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM), Abuja.
The Governor noted that the Board’s action reflected what his administration has been doing in terms of transparency and accountability.
The opposition party also alleged that the governor was being hypocritical in his style of governance as this concerned his administration’s handling of legacy projects of the immediate past government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Making a direct reference to the media reports which had it that Governor Makinde had issued a stop-work order to the contractors handling the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project put in place by the last administration, Oyo APC said that it “was unfortunate that the present PDP government was out to play unnecessary politics with everything not minding effects its action would have on the state.
“One would naturally wonder what could have motivated the governor to direct virtually all his actions towards obliterating the enviable record of good governance left behind by the Ajimobi administration particularly in the areas of physical infrastructure. Since his assumption of office in May this year, Governor Makinde has made it a daily habit to cry wolf where none existed.
“Why would a serious government wake up on a day and decide to blackmail its predecessor over a project like that of Ibadan Circular Road which was well conceived and transparently handed over to a Consortium for a desirable delivery? Governor Makinde played his usual hypocritical card when he acknowledged the importance of the project and at the same time reeled out lies simply to blackmail his predecessor who had to use his God-given wisdom to get sponsors for its implementation since government did not have the required funds to get it done.
“To set the record straight, Ibadan Circular Road project was awarded by the Ajimobi administration in 2018 without a dime coming from the government as it is being done under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. The total stretch of new road to be constructed is 110km and not the 36km figure mischievously quoted by Governor Makinde. However, if the governor was not satisfied with the pace of work on the project, he could invite the Consortium involved to his office and sort things out with them.
“Interestingly, Governor Makinde can commission different model schools built by Senator Ajimobi to mark his own first 100 days in office. The same governor can distribute the books produced by the APC administration to public school pupils to kick off his controversial free education programme while he can also take delivery of medical equipment fully procured by Ajimobi and move them to Adeoyo State Hospital as his own initiative but he would still not be at peace whenever he comes across other lofty projects of Senator Abiola Ajimobi. This calls for a concern and we urge him (Makinde) to have a rethink”, the statement continued.
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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