Politics
Oyo: Committee dismisses parallel congress, as APC elects new executives

THE Alhaji Abdullahi Gwarzo led Oyo State All Progressives Congress, (APC) State Congress Committee on Saturday dismissed the parallel state congress purportedly held by a dissident group within the party, labelled ‘Unity Forum’ as party elects new executives.
New executives to pilot the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years emerged through voice vote at the congress conducted by a five-man APC State Congress Committee headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Gwarzo and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The incumbent Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Akin Oke and the Secretary, Mr. Mojeed Olaoya, were among party executives returned for another term of four years at the party’s state congress.

Governor Ajimobi congratulating the newly elected party chairman, Chief Akin Oke
Others who were also returned at the congress which was held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, included Dr Azeez Olatunde (Publicity Secretary) and Mrs. Mabel Williams (Women Leader), while Mr. Lekan Adeyemo emerged as Deputy Chairman.
Gwarzo, while addressing delegates, declared that the committee was not aware of any parallel congress, confirming that the only valid congress was the one conducted by the committee and witnessed by INEC officials.
He stressed that the congress was conducted in line with the directives and guidelines of the party, adding that “We did our best. We were able to elect the leadership of Oyo State APC without any rancour. You can see that everybody is happy, including the governor.

(L-R) Governor Ajimobi, ex-Oyo governor, Chief Alao Akala and Chief Akin Oke.
“The congress was well-organised and we are not aware of any other congress or faction. APC is one united party. Nomination forms were sold to all aspiring members of the party in the state and Lekan Salami Sports Complex is the recognised venue.
Other members of the committee include, Alhaji Haruna Tilde, Mr. Muhammed Sanni Sidi, Mr. Emeka Okolie and Mr. Ayuba Idria, while the INEC officials were Mr. Olubunmi Ariyo from Abuja and Mr. Ayodele Folami from Ibadan.

Former Senate Leader, Oloye Teslim Folarin
Also, the congress was attended by the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Olagunju Ojo, a former Senate Majority Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari.
Other APC chieftains in attendance are Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Mr Sunday Dare, Mr. Zaccheus Adelabu as well as members of the House of Representatives, Hons. Akeem Adeyemi, Jide Olatunbosun, Dokun Odebunmi, Saheed Fijabi and Abiodun Awoleye.
Commenting, Governor Abiola Ajimobi expressed willingness to accommodate all aggrieved party members, adding that the quality of good leaders was determined by their level of tolerance and ability to accommodate opposing views.
“In the spirit of true democracy, aggrieved members would be accommodated but the party won’t tolerate acts of thuggery, brigandage and unnecessary discord,” he said.
The governor, while charging the newly-elected executives to pursue peace and do everything within their means to unite the party, said “politics is about give and take. It is about reconciliation and interest. The most important is to accommodate others”.
Also, Alao-Akala, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the congress, volunteered to lead the team that would reconcile aggrieved members in the larger interest of the party.
Politics
Fresh N200bn Loan: Oyo APC Accuses Makinde of Pushing State Into Financial Ruin

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fiercely opposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s move to secure a fresh loan of N200 billion, describing it as reckless and detrimental to the state’s financial future. The party called on concerned Nigerians to intervene and prevail upon the governor to abandon the borrowing plan.
According to the party, it said sources had revealed that Governor Makinde sought and secured approval for the loan on Tuesday, allegedly through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, and a few select lawmakers. It added that the governor’s request, contained in a letter dated 13th March 2025, cited the need to refinance an existing loan from a commercial bank.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned the move, insisting that the governor’s borrowing spree was driving the state into a financial mess.
“Another distressing development has emerged from the Oyo State House of Assembly today. The Speaker and a handful of his loyalists have secretly approved a fraudulent loan request from the governor without the knowledge of most of their colleagues. This decision was only made public through a post-plenary document released by the Clerk of the House,” the statement read.
Sadare decried the mounting debt profile of Oyo State under Makinde, alleging that the governor had already incurred over N300 billion in loans over the last six years. He questioned why, despite such heavy borrowing, the state had little to show in terms of infrastructural development, economic growth, and agricultural advancement.
“If the previous loans had been judiciously used to improve infrastructure, build the economy, and ensure food security through a sustainable agricultural revolution, there would be no need for concern. Unfortunately, the present PDP administration has demonstrated a lack of accountability and is determined to mortgage the future of Oyo State,” he said.
The APC spokesman further questioned the rationale behind the fresh loan request, citing the substantial revenue inflows into the state’s coffers.
“For the record, Governor Makinde receives an average of N11 billion in federal allocation and another N11 billion on behalf of the 33 local government councils. In addition, the state generates no less than N3 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, bringing the total monthly revenue to at least N25 billion. The critical question now is: what exactly is he doing with this massive income, and why does Oyo still need another huge loan?”
Sadare accused the governor of failing to prioritise essential needs despite the available funds, lamenting that workers in state-owned tertiary institutions were not being paid a living wage, while key sectors such as emergency response, agriculture, and education remained neglected.
“Oyo State cannot even afford five fully functional fire trucks to tackle emergencies. Farmers lack access to modern equipment, while the state’s public schools are deteriorating rapidly. Yet, Governor Makinde, who has failed to complete an ordinary bus terminal after allegedly spending N20 billion, has now set his sights on an airport upgrade project as another means to siphon public funds,” he added.
The APC spokesman also took a swipe at Speaker Ogundoyin, accusing him of acting as a rubber stamp for the governor’s financial dealings.
“The manner in which this N200 billion loan was hurriedly approved exposes the Speaker as a willing accomplice in Makinde’s financial recklessness. However, justice will eventually prevail, and no one involved in this dubious scheme will escape accountability,” Sadare warned.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get a reaction from the Oyo State government and the Speaker of the House of Assembly were unsuccessful.
Politics
Former PDP Governorship Candidate Jandor Returns to APC

A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor announced his return to the ruling party at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, approximately two weeks after resigning from the PDP.
In his address, he explained his decision, stating that APC prioritises electoral victory regardless of the candidate.
“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he declared.
Anticipating criticism over his political move, he referenced a Yoruba proverb, saying:
“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons why I dumped APC, I want to say that there is a Yoruba adage that says, if a woman has not tried two husbands, she would not know which one is better.”
Jandor had previously left the PDP on 3rd March 2025, citing what he described as anti-party activities by some leaders in Lagos State.
“We were waiting to see if the party at the national level, governed by its constitution, would address these anti-party activities. Instead of sanctions, the same individual was appointed Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee,” he said at the time.
Following his resignation from the PDP, Jandor met with several political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Jandor’s political journey began with the APC, where he led the Lagos4Lagos Movement before defecting in 2022. He joined the PDP ahead of the 2023 governorship election and became the party’s flagbearer in Lagos, but lost to APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Politics
El-Rufai Urges Atiku, Obi, Others to Join SDP, Rules Out Merger

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed the possibility of a political merger ahead of the 2027 general election, instead urging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and other opposition figures to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai’s call came in the wake of his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on 10 March, citing a misalignment of values with the party.
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, the former governor appealed to opposition leaders to unite under the SDP banner to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the next election.
“My wishes and prayers are that Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, and all opposition leaders join SDP—not to form a merger or register a new party, but to work together towards 2027,” he said.
El-Rufai also expressed his disappointment in the current administration, stating that despite initial confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, he had failed to meet expectations.
“What pains me is that the government we supported and believed in would perform well because we saw what Tinubu achieved in Lagos despite his challenges,” he remarked. “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos at the national level, we should support him. However, he has failed.”
Meanwhile, the Presidency has dismissed speculation surrounding the 2027 elections, maintaining that President Tinubu is focused on economic reforms and national development.
In a statement on Friday via X (formerly Twitter), Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Bayo Onanuga, stated:
“President Tinubu is not worried about the next election. He is concerned about the shared prosperity he can bring to Nigerians. He is focused on ensuring that, by the end of his first term, he can look back and say, ‘I have impacted the lives of Nigerians and turned this economy around.’”
Onanuga also highlighted the administration’s achievements, including improved foreign reserves, reduced inflation, a growing trade surplus, and increased foreign investments.
Addressing speculation about his own presidential ambition in 2027, El-Rufai said his candidacy would depend on the party and the will of the people.
“It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people that will decide. Even when I was contesting for governor, it was the people who met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me to run,” he said.
As political alignments continue to take shape ahead of 2027, El-Rufai’s defection and his call for opposition unity signal growing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape.
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