Politics
Shittu’s petition is deeply rooted in falsehood, premised on cheap blackmail, Oyo APC replies
THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has criticised the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu following his recent petition against Governor Abiola Ajimobi describing it as deeply rooted in falsehood, and premised on cheap blackmail.
Also, the party noted that Barrister Shittu’s allegations in the said petition are not only baseless but equally fallacious, saying, “it is actually shocking to note that the Minister embarked on deliberate falsehood”.
Shittu, as learnt, had earlier sent a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, the national organ of APC, its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, alleging that APC under Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo state could affect the party’s chances of retaining the state. Justifying his claim, the minister alleged the governor’s perceived highhandedness; demolition of an ICT project being financed by him in his hometown of Saki; and the governor’s lack of purposeful leadership to unite all members of the party.
On the contrary, contained in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to Mega Icon Magazine in Ibadan by the party’s state Director of Media and Strategy, Dr Abdul-Azees Olatunde, further described the minister as a ‘political ingrate’ who detests team work, adding that his desperation for the governorship of Oyo State is driving him to work at cross purpose with the overall well-being of the party.
The statement reads, “contrary to the reckless insinuations made by the Minister, the Oyo State APC is doing extremely well. Rather than loose any member to the opposition, the Oyo State APC under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been moving from strength to strength. Barely one month ago, had the rank and file of the party membership which has continued to experience unprecedented growth and development witnessed a bumper harvest when notable political stakeholders from major opposition parties in the state declared in an open rally where they submitted themselves to the leadership of the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
“We must state very clearly that the decampees include a former Governor, former Deputy Governor, former Senate Leader, serving and former members of the House of Representatives, former Senators, former Secretary to the State Government, former Senatorial candidate, former State Chairman of the PDP, former State Secretary of the PDP, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, present and past State House of Assembly members, former Commissioners and former Local Government Chairmen and several others.
“The open declaration was witnessed by some National Officers of our great party including Deputy National Chairman (South), the National Vice Chairman (North East), the National Vice Chairman (South West) and the |National Treasurer.
“It is quite saddening, highly disheartening and a monumental disservice to our party that a serving Minister of Oyo State origin will as a matter of habit stand the truth on its head and close his eyes to the reality of the rising political profile of not only our party but also of our Leader. The fact is that his petition is rooted in falsehood and premised on cheap blackmail.
“It must be stated that while Governor Ajimobi and other leaders of our party have been working assiduously to develop our great party, Barrister Bayo Shittu in his characteristic manner has been moving from one local government to another sowing seeds of discord all in the name of his desperate and inordinate ambition to govern the State.
“Barrister Shittu was never part of the developmental process of our party. Having lost the governorship primary election in 2015, Mr. Shittu abandoned every activity geared towards victory for the party including the Presidential Campaign. He further took the party to court on the eve of the 2015 governorship election and was working for the opposition Accord Party where his former boss and benefactor contested the governorship election. Today he is reaping from where he did not sow
“Mr. Shittu’s participation in the activities of our party in his Ward and Local Government is marginal. He has consistently been antagonizing every laudable move of the party in his local government. He has never supported the party financially and morally. He is a monumental political failure.
“It is on record that Barrister Shittu is a political ingrate who detests team work. His desperation for the governorship of Oyo State is driving him to work at cross – purpose with the overall well-being of APC in Oyo State”, its continued.
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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