Politics
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.
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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