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You can’t add any value to democracy, governance, Oyo APC fires back at Makinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has ruled out the possibility of Governor Seyi Makinde making any appreciable impact in the lives of the people of the state after the expiration of his four-year tenure as the party said the governor lacked the democratic credentials and managerial acumen to move the state forward as desired by all and sundry.
Speaking against the background of a statement credited to Governor Makinde last Thursday wherein the Oyo state helmsman was quoted to have said that the APC had been rejected by God, the former ruling party in the state described the governor’s remarks as “reckless, outrageous and provocative”.
Contained in a statement issued on Friday, on behalf of the Oyo APC Caretaker Committee, and signed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, the party regretted that Governor Makinde had refused to learn the rudiments of active politicking and public engagement despite the fact that he had been contesting elections since 2007.
“We wonder what could have prompted Governor Makinde to utter those disgusting statement he made on Thursday while playing host to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who came to Ibadan to remind the world about his roles in the needless sociopolitical crisis which the PDP foisted on Oyo state between 2003 and 2007 as members of the PDP allowed their greed and corruption instincts to drag the state backward.
“PDP has never been a promoter of peace, security and good governance in Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole. The presence of Governor Makinde’s new godfather at the Agodi Government Secretariat brought back a sad memory of sponsored brigandage, subversion of democratic principles and sociopolitical misfortunes in the land and, as if that was not enough, the governor shocked the whole world when he stated that he was following the foot steps of Obasanjo.
“Governor Makinde must have been carried away by the euphoria of decorating his new godfather when he pronounced the APC as having been rejected by God. Was he referring to the APC which had won about 75 per cent of isolated and bye elections conducted in the country in recent times? Could he have spoken about the same APC which receive current members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the PDP and other parties into its fold in droves? Why is Oyo PDP under Gov. Makinde failing in its attempts to woo APC faithful with millions of naira and thus resorting to unveiling its own members as new decampees in some local government areas?
“Rather than sit up and change his cosmetic approach to governance in the Pacesetter state, Gov. Makinde is going down deep in the sea of “audio performance” and self-delusion. Under him, nowhere is safe again in the state as hoodlums, kidnappers, armed robbers, assassins among others carry out out their criminal activities frequently without resistance from any quarters. The State Secretariat in Agodi is not spared as cases of burglary and theft happen every time.
“Oyo state now has a governor who is only good at taking loans for every project regardless of whether such project is desirable or not. 18 months after, we have had many billions of naira attached to different projects but nothing is on ground to show for it. Staff of state-owned tertiary institutions groan, students and staff of public primary and secondary schools have become victims of fake free education programme while trade unions such as NURTW, NULGE, NUT and SSANIP are at loggerheads with the same governor who is not at peace with his party elders and leaders.
“In an ideal situation, Governor Makinde should, by now, be explaining to the people of the state how he spent over N9.3 billion on 106 units of light buses which he brought to the state capital with fanfare few days ago. Having grounded the third tier of government completely, the governor has put the treasuries of the 33 local government councils and 37 local council development areas under his own feet as he dictates what they do with their allocations and internally generated revenues”, the statement concluded.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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