Politics
Oyo: Group sues for peace among aggrieved APC’s members ahead of guber poll
A support group within the Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of The United Progressives (TUP), Monday, appealed to aggrieved party faithful to imbibe the spirit of love, unity and peace ahead of the forthcoming governorship election billed for March 11.
Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the convener of the group, Mr Afeez Bolaji Repete called on the aggrieved members to “bury their hatchets and come back home to, collectively, rescue Oyo-State from the sharp grip of reactionary elements, currently, manning its affairs”.
Repete also warned the ruling PDP in the state and its supporters to desist from making false claims about facilitating the victory of the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, “Those behind the wicked rumour are some unscrupulous elements whose motive is to mislead the public and attract undue sympathy from certain quarters outside the state come 11 March 2023.
“To set the record straight, Oyo PDP did its best to secure victory for all its candidates at the last Saturday election but they failed simply because Oyo APC was far ahead of them in terms of preparedness, human resources, strategy and public acceptability.”, he explained.
Congratulating the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Sen. Kashim Shettima on their victory at the just concluded presidential election, the group further urged the people of the state to vote massively for the APC governorship candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin.
“Heartily, we congratulate our legendary leader and president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu(BAT) over his hard-fought victory in the recently concluded presidential election of our great nation. We also congratulate the vice-president-elect and all newly elected members of the National Assembly. Our hope is renewed, and the new dawn has come in Nigeria. On the forthcoming March 11 gubernatorial election in the state, we canvass for support for Senator Teslim Folarin of APC. He remains the most experienced, the most competent, and the most qualified candidate among his co-contestants.
“As we all know, threats and violence cause voter apathy. It affects the legitimacy of elections and electoral participation, worldwide. So, we hereby put Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies on notice that ‘on no account should dissidents, and agents of darkness be allowed to disrupt the gubernatorial polls of March 11, 2023.
“All citizens of Oyo State must be allowed to freely exercise their franchise without hindrance or any form of intimidation.
“Conclusively, we thank the good people of Oyo-State for the confidence reposed in the progressive party, as expressed on February 25, and we encourage the electorates to double their efforts on March 11 by trooping out en-mass and electing Sen. Folarin as the next governor of the state, and also by voting for all APC State Assembly candidates,” it 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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