Politics
Oyo ZLP stalwart, others debunk defection to APC
A Chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Oyo state, Comrade Wole Abisoye and some members of the party have refuted the recent media report that they left the political platform and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also, the ZLP stakeholders described the report as untrue and misleading.
At a well attended meeting in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, on Wednesday, leadership of the now moribund ZLP insisted that majority of its members have joined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They, therefore pledged their loyalty to the Seyi Makinde- led PDP government in the state.
The meeting, presided over by Comrade Wole Abisoye, former state chairman of ZLP also had in attendance former local government chairmen, stalwarts and other party faithfuls across the thirty-three local governments.
ZLP chieftains, who also attended the stakeholders’ meeting included: Comrade Sulaiman Adedokun, Chief Raimi Jalaruru, Evangelist Suberu Ademola, Hon. Olasunkanmi Okunlola, and Mr Dele Ladoja
Others are, Hon. Okunola Saheed Ademola, Hon. Kunle Oduola, Mr. Raheem Oguntade Idris, Mrs Bola Olaniyi, among other leaders were in attendance.
The chairman of Governor Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola was also present at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Abisoye maintained that the majority of the ZLP members across the thirty-three local governments have returned to the PDP since two weeks ago.
Debunking the statement that ZLP has been collapsed into the APC and members of Senator Rashidi Ladoja’s political group have also joined the opposition party in the state, Abisoye said nothing could be farther from the truth
He clearly stated that their political leader and former governor of Oyo state, Senator Ladoja is no longer a card carrying member of any political party.
On the claim of other group that their moving to APC has the blessing of Senator Ladoja, Abisoye warned that nobody should drop the name of Ladoja for their selfish goals.
“When APC senators from Oyo state at various times approached Senator Ladoja to join their party, he (Ladoja) made no commitment but rather leave the matter to be decided by the leaders of the ZLP”, Abisoye added.
Giving hindsight on how he and other local government chairmen returned to PDP, the former ZLP chairman said when the Apex members of the party met, he took his stand not to join the APC but PDP.
This according to him led huge numbers of members to move en masse to PDP across the state.
Abisoye added that he was happy that ZLP members have been restored and fully integrated into the PDP, calling on others who have been deceived to move into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retrace their steps and return to the right place.
Giving reasons for joining the PDP, some leaders who spoke at the meeting acknowledged developmental strides currently going on in every local government of the state.
For this reason, they said gave them conviction to join the train and thereby pledged their unflinching support for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Remarking at the meeting, Senator Agboola lauded the ZLP stakeholders for taking the crucial decision to “return home” and team up with Governor Makinde’s administration.
He added that they would be treated equally as other members of the party, adding that they would not be left out in the sharing of positions, even after the local government election in May.
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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