Politics
Oyo APC senatorial aspirant, Ayandele denies defection rumour
Dr. Olusola Ayandele, an aspirant for the Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state, has denied the rumours of his alleged defection from the Party, warning those behind the circulation of the fake reports to desist or face the consequences of their actions.
Ayandele, the former gubernatorial aspirant of the APC in the 2019 general election, had been duly cleared to participate in the primary election expected to produce the party candidate on May 28, 2022 but he opted out of the contest to protest lack of transparency which he noted and complained about even before the commencement of the exercise which later failed and had to be rescheduled.
The Ibarapa-born businessman maintained that he remained a progressive and bonafide member of Oyo APC but warned that the party might lose many of its faithful in the coming days if nothing was done to address all the issues surrounding the flawed primaries being conducted to pick candidates for the 2023 general election.
Ayandele, popularly known ‘Eruobodo’ said “I have been inundated with calls from friends and associates as well as concerned members of the public who wanted to know the veracity of the reports claiming I have left our great Party (APC) but I can tell you categorically that the report is nothing but unfounded rumour being peddled around by some unscrupulous elements for reasons best known to them. It is true I attended an emergency meeting called by a leading gubernatorial aspirant in Ibadan few days ago but my participation at the moment does not suggest that I am a part of any plot to move away from the APC.
“As a matter of fact, I have not had any cause to jump the ship because what is happening at the moment is not peculiar to the APC as it rains everywhere. If anything, I would be the last person to leave the progressive fold for any other camp because of certain reasons which I don’t want disclose now. There are pockets of crisis within the party at the moment but I would rather stay to look for possible ways of resolving issues than run away. I can’t just be answering the title ‘Eruobodo’ for nothing.
“I am aware some important members of Oyo APC who have been disappointed by the handlers of the party are planning to defect to another party but the truth is that I am not one of them and my decision is personal. In fact, I am already reaching out to the national leadership of the party to quickly wade in and ensure that the imminent implosion is averted because it would definitely spell doom for the APC in general if allowed to happen”, he said .
Speaking on his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District in the Red Chamber in 2023, the chairman and chief executive of Olusola Ayandele Foundation said that he was still in the race “but there is no way I can participate in the rescheduled primary election if the fundamental issues we raised last week remain unaddressed. There should be openness and transparency in the way the entire process would be conducted but some anti-democratic elements within the system feel otherwise, I would not join them in any show of shame.
“We know the number of delegates expected from each of the nine local government areas in our district and I understand the delegates are drawn from the entire population of party faithful from the same district but why would anybody hide the delegate list for crying loud sake? Let them pick a new date for the primary and also make the delegate list available to all aspirants 48 hours to the exercise as prescribed by the law and see how they would have buried all this needless crisis. All we are clamouring for is free, fair and credible exercise. Nothing more”, the APC chieftain 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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