Politics
Why Tinubu must call Oyo stakeholders’ meeting ahead of Inauguration – Group gives reason
As Nigerians look forward to the swearing-in of a new president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29th, a group, under the aegis of Greater Oyo State Forum has appealed to the new president to rally notable leaders and stakeholders that worked for the actualization of his electoral victory in the Pacesetter State for a meeting ahead of the Inauguration Day.
The group noted that such a meeting would allow the leaders to pay their homage to the new president because there hasn’t been any such ‘congratulatory visit’ to Tinubu since February when he won at the poll.
According to Greater Oyo State Forum, such a visit would engender mutual trust among the people of the State and the President-elect because they are already worried that the State hasn’t been properly represented, notwithstanding the visit of G5 Governors to the President-elect, where the Governor Seyi Makinde of the State also featured prominently.
Drawing an inference from other Southwest States where key stakeholders had visited the President-elect, the group said the deaths of its prominent leaders especially two former Governors and first-class Royal Fathers, shouldn’t be an excuse not to have other pro-Tinubu leaders making it to Abuja on Congratulatory visit.
The new president won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde, though a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member surreptitiously supported Tinubu of APC to win all the 33 local governments during the recently held presidential election of 2023.
The Greater Oyo State Forum in a signed press statement by its Chairman, Hon. Simeon Adeleke said:: several eminent people of the State; traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups, market men and women led by the Babaloja and Iyaloja and others supported Asiwaju to clinch landslide victory spanning all the 33 local governments during the election.
‘On the political side, the wife of former Governor of the State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; a serving Executive Secretary of National Sugar Development Council, Mr. Zacch Adedeji; a notable philanthropist who doubles as the Chairman/CEO, of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, among others, worked for the success of Mr. President-elect before and during the election.
‘Asiwaju should open his doors to the people of Oyo State to rejoice with him like other States have been doing.
‘We are the first set of people to endorse Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in all the States of Southwestern Nigeria.
‘Our traditional rulers including Ibadan senior Chiefs, Mogajis, Baales, and others organised several rallies across Ibadanland and Oyo State. On many occasions, Ilaji stadium in Akanran, Ona Ara local government was the venue for such events.
‘We can say Tinubu’s presidency was a collective effort and our incoming President must not ostracize Oyo State in the scheme of things. He needs to have our people as the cornerstone of his administration. He should create an interface with our people and leaders before the inauguration later this month.
‘It is ironic that since February, almost three months after Asiwaju was declared as the winner, none of these great sons and daughters of our State have been hosted or allowed to pay a congratulatory visit to the incoming president.
‘This group observes that other States have had their leaders hosted by the President-elect but Oyo State which posted the best result in the Southwest geopolitical zone has not been opportune to have its leaders visiting the new leader of our country.
‘Should this continue till when Asiwaju takes the oath of office as the most powerful leader of the most populous black nation of the world, how would it be possible to ensure that our people enjoy dividends of their sacrifice(s) during the struggles to get Mr. President elected?
‘It is therefore a matter of urgency that the Stakeholders from the State rally themselves to also congratulate the President-elect, with a view of positioning our State for the task ahead especially as it concerns Federal presence, political patronages, and infrastructural facilities of the new government of the federation for all the geopolitical zones of our State,’ Adeleke 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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