Politics
Oyo Lg Poll: No Formidable Opposition to Tackle APC- Morohunkola Thomas.
THE Executive Assistant, Political to Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Morohunkola Thomas Wednesday said that the disintegration among the opposition parties in the state is a major factor that will not allow them to form a formidable opposition against APC.
Reacting to the insinuation that the governor’s refusal to conduct council poll was because he was afraid that some opposition parties might defeat him and create problem for his successor, the three term commissioner in the state, Dr Thomas, in an interview with Mega Icon Magazine said the governor is not afraid of the opposition.
“We have a governor that has contested election for four times. In 2003, he ran for the Senate, he won, in 2007, he won the governorship election and lost to the court, he didn’t lose on the field. Also, in 2011, he won the governorship election and he recontested again in 2015 against two former governors, and he defeated them including his own senior brother. So, why will that kind of man be afraid of conducting local government election”, he questioned.
Thomas maintains further that the governor is prepared to conduct council election, saying that ” Governor Ajimobi has constituted the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), their offices are ready, he has released fund for them, he was prepared for the election.
“Until recently, some people went to court and got an injunction restraining the government from conducting local government election and what we have done is this, OYSIEC is waiting as soon as the litigation is over, the election will take place. As a matter of facts, we have initiated out of court settlement moves with the litigants.
” Within our own system, it is to our advantage that the local government election be conducted, Dr Thomas added.
He, however expressed with conviction that despite the rumour being peddled against the ruling party and ‘monkey tricks’ of the opposition parties in the state, no political party can beat the All Progressives Congress in subsequent elections.
“I can’t see any opposition against the local government election. When we run for that election, it will be 63-0. Where is the opposition to face us? Is it the disintegrated Accord Party (AP), majority of their members are already joining us in large numbers. In the next one month, you will see the financier of Accord Party joining our party at a public rally. On Friday last week, I was in Saki with my colleagues to receive hundreds of Accord Party members into our party.
“Is it the PDP of Makarfi or the PDP of Ali Modu Sheriff? or the Labour Party (LP) that was already falling? With the exit of Alao Akala, where is the Labour Party (LP) again?
Thomas continued, ” there could not have been any Labour Party (LP) in 2015 if an Alao Akala was not there, and now that Akala has left the Party, Labour Party is dead. The opposition parties are disintegrating before our very eyes”.
Asked how to battle the perceived third force as some opposition parties in the state are coming together to wrestle power from the ruling APC, the party Chieftain said though, in politics 24 hours is too long, but, however claimed he had perfect knowledge of the principality involves in the game.
He noted that the actors are irreconcilable and cannot manage a healthy relationship within themselves, describing the merger as a marriage of inconvenience.
“Having a merger is a difficult venture, it is a big political assignment that will only takes the likes of Tinubu to execute. How many Tinubu do we have in the PDP? I can’t see a Tinubu in the Accord or in the Labour Party.
” The opposition parties will remain disintegrated as they were. I pray that they are able to come together, because we are looking for people to thrash”, he boasted.
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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