Politics
Oyo LG Poll: 18 eye APC chairmanship ticket in Kajola
• as party closes sales from Friday
There is palpable tension in the camp of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Kajola local government council chapter of Oyo state as no fewer than 18 aspirants are struggling to emerge the chairmanship candidate of the party in the council poll which has been slated for April next year.
Kajola, which is one of the 10 local government councils in Oke-Ogun axis of the state, is believed to be a stronghold of the Progressives as the party recorded good results in the area in the 2023 general election even as Kajola State Constituency was among the four out of 32 won by the APC in the same election which returned Governor Seyi Makinde, of the PDP, for a second term in office.
Further checks revealed that APC leaders are currently finding it difficult to choose a consensus candidate among the crowd of 18 aspirants who have indicated their interests interest so far, and the implication of this is that the primary election might be the last resort to pick a candidate.
Sources who preferred anonymity informed that some leaders had come up with a resolution that a particular aspirant be made the consensus candidate, but this did not go down well with all others who are now determined to go to the field for the primary election since the person believed to be the choice of the leaders “was not the most qualified.
Among party men who have shown interest to grab the ticket is a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Felix Ige, while others include; Tajudeen Alakara, Isiaka Atanda, Chief Oke Samuel, Daramola Ayorinde, Samuel Ogunrinde, Abiodun Adegoke, Moses Babalola, Bola Moto, Sunmonu wali collate, Yahyah, Salau, Yaqub Olaaje, Sunday ogungbenro, Oladepo Bashiru, Monsuru Alawode, Tirimisiyu Adesola, Gabriel Adewoyin and one other.
When contacted to comment on the development; the spokesman of Oyo APC, Olawale Sadare, said that the situation was not out of control as “it is an indication that APC is still very popular in the state. The entire Oke-Ogun is for the Progressives, and they also proved this in the last general election. So, it is surprising that we are having many seeking to fly the flag of the APC in the coming council poll in Kajola and elsewhere. It is not in Kajola alone that we have many aspirants jostling for the same ticket, and we are determined to sort things out democratically and peacefully.
“The leadership of the Party has made it abundantly clear that internal democracy will play out, as we are set to allow members to decide who gets the mandate to fly the flag of the party as either councilorship or chairmanship candidate ahead of the coming council poll. We have published the guidelines and the date picked for the party primary is August 24, 2023. Collection of the Expression of Interest Form will close this Friday and there will not be any extension of the deadline.” Sadare said.
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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