Threat Of APC Takeover in Oyo and Osun State,Makinde and Adeleke Criticize Ganduje

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun have condemned the statement by APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, suggesting the party’s intent to “capture” Oyo and Osun after its recent victory in Ondo State. Ganduje’s remarks came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner in Ondo. He argued that the APC’s goal is to ensure political uniformity across the South-West by bringing opposition-governed states under APC’s control.

In response, Makinde dismissed Ganduje’s declaration as baseless, stating that Oyo’s governance would remain aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde conveyed that the people of Oyo would not abandon the peace and progress achieved under his leadership. Similarly, Adeleke warned that the APC’s ambition was a threat to democracy and accused Ganduje of sowing instability within the South-West, which he described as a stronghold of political freedom.

Makinde’s Team Labels APC’s Remarks as “Wishful Thinking”

The Oyo PDP, in a statement by its acting Publicity Secretary, Micheal Ogunsina, argued that Ganduje’s plan to “capture” Oyo was unrealistic. Ogunsina highlighted the contrast between the governance of Makinde’s PDP administration, which he described as an “oasis of peace,” and the policies of the APC that he claimed brought “pain, sorrow, and tears” to Nigerians. He further criticized the APC for focusing on seizing power rather than addressing pressing issues facing the country, including inflation and insecurity.

The Oyo PDP went on to accuse Ganduje of acting with the same disregard for the people’s welfare as criminal elements, stating, “Where is the difference between what the All progressive Congress does and what forest bandits do?” The party’s message emphasized that the people of Oyo were uninterested in joining the APC’s ranks, asserting, “No sensible person in Oyo State wants to endure the further suffering caused by APC’s misrule.”

Adeleke Warns Against Anti-Democratic Rhetoric

Governor Adeleke also voiced strong opposition to Ganduje’s stance, stating that the APC’s approach conflicted with the democratic principles associated with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a statement through his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke argued that Ganduje’s call for an APC takeover disregarded local political dynamics unique to Osun. He noted that Osun is known for its resistance to imposed political control and a tradition of defending electoral fairness.

Adeleke accused Ganduje of undermining Tinubu’s efforts to unify the Yoruba people, saying, “Ganduje’s threats pose a risk to the South-West’s stability and President Tinubu’s legacy.” He also challenged Ganduje to better understand Osun’s political landscape, asserting that political tactics successful in Edo or Ondo would not resonate in Osun due to the distinct political culture of the region.

Opposition Leaders Condemn All progressive Congress’s Tactics and Rhetoric

The PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed alarm over the APC’s conduct in Ondo and Edo states, labeling it as manipulative and a danger to Nigeria’s democratic system. Osadolor claimed that the All progressive Congress had not won these states fairly, but had instead used federal security resources to secure an advantage, and vowed to oppose any attempts by the APC to extend these tactics to Oyo and Osun. He described the All progressive Congress’s actions as a regression to a “one-party state” model, urging Nigerians to reject such practices.

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Osun, warned Ganduje to avoid inciting political tension with his statements. He emphasized that, given the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, voters in Osun would be unlikely to support the APC. Odeyemi cautioned that the APC’s rhetoric risked transforming the South-West into a “political war zone” and insisted on a peaceful, voter-driven election process in the region.

Labour Party and PDP Denounce “Violent” Takeover Attempts

Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called for Ganduje to exercise restraint in his ambitions for the South-West. Ifoh argued that the APC’s record of governance had failed Nigerians, making a complete takeover of the South-West highly unlikely. He remarked that the South-West had seen the worst of economic hardships under APC’s leadership, which would deter voters from embracing the party.

Ifoh added that the APC’s focus on capturing states rather than addressing the challenges of insecurity and economic stability was out of step with the desires of the populace. He concluded that the South-West would not submit to All progressive Congress control, warning that inflammatory rhetoric from the party could lead to social unrest. Both the Labour Party and PDP reiterated their commitment to opposing any coercive tactics aimed at controlling the region, insisting that democracy must be respected in all its facets.