Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, has taken a stand against the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, following Ganduje’s remarks about the ruling party’s intention to establish political dominance in the South-West by ousting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Oyo and Osun states.
Ganduje made his comments after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared APC candidate Lucky Aiyedatiwa the winner of the recent governorship election in Ondo State. He confidently proclaimed that the next objective for the party was to target the South-West geopolitical zone.
“Our focus now is on the South-West region, particularly Osun and Oyo States. We are skilled at achieving our goals, and we will do everything necessary to bring these states into the APC fold, ensuring political homogeneity in the region,” Ganduje stated.
In response, Governor Makinde, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, emphasized that both the state government and the Oyo PDP would not yield their territory to the APC.
Olanrewaju echoed the sentiments of Micheal Ogunsina, the acting Publicity Secretary of the Oyo PDP, who condemned Ganduje’s aspirations for state control.
Ogunsina remarked that it is hard to believe that the people of Oyo would forsake the “oasis of peace, ease, and good governance” provided by the Makinde administration for a return to “devastation, pain, sorrow, and tears.”
He criticized the APC for their focus on state capture rather than addressing the hardships imposed on Nigerians through their alleged detrimental policies.
“It is disheartening that instead of alleviating the burdens of the people, the APC is fixated on seizing states and controlling destinies. This raises the question: how different is the APC’s approach from that of forest bandits?” Ogunsina argued.
“Our citizens are weary of a party that is progressive only in name. Ganduje and his associates, who seek to extend the suffering caused by the APC to Oyo State, should cease their schemes against both God and the populace. We reject Ganduje’s curse and his party; our God, who despises the wicked, will also reject them.
“Oyo State has thrived as a bastion of peace and effective governance amidst the chaos inflicted by the APC nationwide. We refuse to surrender our freedom to predators, and we will stand firm.
“Let it be known that no rational individual in Oyo State wishes to endure greater suffering than what is already inflicted by the APC’s mismanagement.
“A responsible ruling party would be striving to mend the damage it has inflicted on our economy and the financial well-being of the people. However, the APC, lacking the ability to provide, shows no concern for the plight of its citizens. Its political agenda revolves solely around seizing power, capturing states, and robbing people of their joy,” the Oyo PDP statement concluded.
