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Oyo APC rejects Makinde’s planned December LG poll, vows boycott

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The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has rejected plans by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to conduct another local government election on December 26, 2026, describing the proposed exercise as illegal, premature and a calculated move to retain political influence at the grassroots beyond the governor’s tenure.

The party declared that it would neither participate in the election nor remain silent over what it termed an attempt to squander public resources on a process allegedly designed to install loyalists in the 33 local government councils and 351 wards across the state.

The controversy followed the decision of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) to shift the date earlier fixed for January 2027 to December 26, 2026, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The move has continued to generate debate among political observers, many of whom have questioned the urgency of conducting another council poll barely six months before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent chairmen and councillors elected in the 2024 local government elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said it would not stop at boycotting the election but would also collaborate with “patriots and rational minds” to resist what it called an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayers’ money.

The party accused Governor Makinde of lacking commitment to local government autonomy, alleging that the administration had exercised undue control over council resources for more than seven years.

“The whole world knows that Governor Makinde does not believe in local government autonomy and, when it comes to democracy at the grassroots, he cannot be trusted for anything,” the statement said.

The APC alleged that the proposed poll was aimed at positioning individuals loyal to the governor in local councils before his exit from office on May 29, 2027, arguing that such a move would enable him to sustain political influence after leaving the Agodi Government House.

According to the opposition party, expectations among many residents are centred on ongoing efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen local government autonomy and ensure that councils enjoy direct access to their statutory allocations without interference from state governments.

The APC also linked what it described as poor development outcomes in some rural communities to the operation of the state-local government joint account system. It cited communities such as Ahoro Esiele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area, which have reportedly faced security challenges, as examples of areas where local government resources should have translated into visible improvements.

“It is sad that Governor Makinde appears determined to sustain a system that has left many rural communities vulnerable despite huge allocations accruing to local governments monthly,” the party said.

The opposition further dismissed the local government elections conducted in 2020 and 2024 as lacking credibility, alleging that winners emerged through predetermined outcomes rather than a transparent electoral process.

“The fraud called local government polls in 2020 and 2024 should be the last the people of Oyo State would witness. Governor Makinde and his supporters should bury any thought of staging another charade in which results are announced without genuine voting and public offices become tools for the diversion of public funds,” the statement added.

The APC consequently urged officials of OYSIEC to halt preparations for the proposed December election, warning against actions capable of undermining democratic values and public confidence in the electoral process.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Oyo State Government nor OYSIEC had issued an official response to the allegations raised by the opposition party.

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Oseni hails Aderibigbe’s appointment as APC guber campaign DG

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Barr. Yemi Aderibigbe on his appointment as the Director-General of the Campaign Council of the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.

Oseni described the appointment as well deserved, saying it was a recognition of Aderibigbe’s years of loyalty, dedication and invaluable contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.

The lawmaker, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele.

The APC chieftain said Aderibigbe had consistently distinguished himself as a committed party stalwart, grassroots mobiliser and dependable administrator whose efforts had strengthened the APC across the state.

According to Oseni, the appointment was a testament to Aderibigbe’s competence, hard work and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the party.

“I heartily congratulate Barrister Yemi Aderibigbe on this well-deserved appointment as the Director-General of Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s Campaign Council. This is a call to greater service, and I have every confidence that you will justify the trust reposed in you,” Oseni said.

He added, “Your experience, leadership qualities and organisational skills will undoubtedly strengthen our campaign and further unite party members as we work towards securing victory for our great party in the governorship election.”

The federal lawmaker urged party leaders, members and supporters across Oyo State to rally behind the new campaign leadership and work together to ensure the APC records a resounding victory at the polls.

He also reaffirmed his unwavering support for Senator Alli’s governorship ambition, expressing optimism that the party would remain united and focused in its quest to win the election.

Before his latest appointment, Aderibigbe served as the Director-General of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), a political support group that coordinated grassroots mobilisation and political engagements for Engr. Aderemi Oseni across Oyo State.

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APC’s Alli unveils Oyo agenda, pledges LG autonomy, education, healthcare reforms

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, on Monday unveiled his governance blueprint, promising to strengthen local government administration, improve public education and healthcare, enhance security, and stimulate economic growth if elected governor.

Speaking at a programme tagged “A Day With BSA” held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Alli said his administration would focus on responsive leadership and sustainable development to deliver tangible benefits to residents across the state.

He described his vision as one built on prosperity, security and inclusive economic development, stressing that governance must be driven by the needs of the people.

A key feature of his blueprint is the full implementation of local government autonomy in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

According to him, granting councils greater operational independence will strengthen grassroots governance and enable them to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities, including agriculture, rural development, food production and community security.

To achieve this, the APC candidate pledged to restore statutory subventions and running grants to local government councils, saying the move would enable them to rehabilitate rural roads, strengthen neighbourhood watch and vigilante groups, and execute projects that directly impact their communities.

“Development is more meaningful when it begins from the grassroots. Local governments must be empowered to serve the people effectively and respond to their immediate needs,” he said.

On education, Alli promised sweeping reforms across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels to improve learning standards and restore confidence in the public school system.

He said consultants currently managing tertiary institutions would be disengaged, while governing councils would be allowed to function strictly in line with their enabling laws.

He also pledged to recruit more teachers, reduce class sizes to about 30 pupils, upgrade school infrastructure and restore school subventions to improve teaching and learning.

The APC standard-bearer further promised to revive school farms in rural communities and establish technical colleges across the state’s three senatorial districts to equip young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Speaking on agriculture, Alli said his administration would establish commodity boards, provide farmers with tractors, fertilisers and modern farm implements, and support increased food production across the state.

He added that cottage industries would be encouraged to process agricultural produce locally, while guaranteed off-takers would be introduced to create employment opportunities for young agripreneurs and reduce post-harvest losses.

On healthcare, the governorship hopeful promised to ensure that every ward has a functional primary healthcare centre, while every local government area would have a well-equipped general hospital.

He also pledged to recruit more doctors and other healthcare professionals to improve access to quality medical services for residents.

Alli said security would remain a major priority under his administration, promising better welfare packages, operational vehicles and modern equipment for neighbourhood watch personnel and vigilante groups.

He also vowed to accelerate road rehabilitation and expand access to potable water in both urban and rural communities, noting that schools, hospitals, markets and other public institutions would benefit from improved water infrastructure.

The APC candidate further promised greater support for artisans, traders, market associations and other business groups to encourage entrepreneurship, promote peaceful coexistence and stimulate economic activities across the state.

He assured civil servants that salaries would be paid on or before the 25th of every month, while regular recruitment and continuous training would be prioritised to improve productivity in the public service.

He also pledged prompt payment of pensions and gratuities and promised to restore the 13th-month salary for workers.

In the area of sports development, Alli said his administration would revive grassroots competitions, build standard stadiums in the state’s six geopolitical zones and provide stronger support for Shooting Stars Sports Club and other football teams in Oyo State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Oyo State, Akeem Abas, said the union remained non-partisan and was providing a platform for all governorship candidates to present their programmes and vision for the state. He added that the initiative was aimed at giving residents the opportunity to understand the candidates’ plans and make informed choices during the election.

The event was attended by the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adesoji Adedeji; the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo; members of the party’s state executive committee, other party leaders and a large number of supporters.

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2027: Alli moves to heal Oyo APC rift, vows to reconcile aggrieved aspirants

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, on Monday commenced moves to reunite the party following its governorship primary, assuring members that all grievances arising from the exercise would soon be resolved.

Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, said the party had already activated reconciliation mechanisms to restore unity and strengthen its chances ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He spoke during a media briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan, attended by his running mate, Mr. Adesoji Adedeji; the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo; and other party leaders.

The APC governorship primary was contested by 11 aspirants, with some of the contestants expressing reservations over the outcome of the exercise.

Addressing journalists, Alli described the post-primary disagreements as a normal feature of democratic politics, particularly in a party with many credible and qualified aspirants.

He disclosed that the party had constituted a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved aspirants and their supporters, while he had also embarked on personal consultations aimed at rebuilding confidence within the party.

According to him, the collective interest of the APC must take precedence over individual ambitions.

He said, “It is not unusual to have aggrieved aspirants after a keenly contested primary. We had 11 accomplished and competent individuals seeking one ticket. Naturally, only one person could emerge.

“Every aspirant who participated in the primary was qualified to govern Oyo State. The process has produced a candidate, and as loyal party members, our responsibility now is to come together for the bigger task ahead.”

Alli expressed confidence that the misunderstandings would soon be resolved, saying discussions with key stakeholders had already begun.

“I want to assure our members that every grievance arising from the primary will be addressed. The party has put a reconciliation committee in place, and I have personally been meeting with those involved. Earlier today, I met with one of the G6 members as part of our ongoing consultations.

“Our focus is not on the primary anymore; it is on how to unite the APC and position it for victory in 2027. We cannot afford to be divided when the people of Oyo State are looking up to us for credible leadership.”

The senator urged party members to close ranks and work together, insisting that unity, discipline and collective commitment would determine the party’s success in the next governorship election.

He added that the APC remained the most formidable political platform in the state and expressed optimism that the reconciliation process would further strengthen the party’s resolve to reclaim power in 2027.

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