Oyo: Makinde Has Refused To Conduct Campaigns Because He Has Hidden Plans – APC Raises Alarm

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has alleged that there is a plot by the Governor of the state, Seyi Makinde and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to tamper with the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The allegation from the APC is coming on the heels of allegations of vote-buying, sponsorship of violence to prevent opposition parties from carrying out their electioneering campaigns, and planned compromise of some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in the bid to secure a second term for the governor.

Speaking via a statement issued on Friday to newsmen in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC lamented over the Governor’s benevolent gesture to political leaders, religious bodies and others which according to them is scripted and aimed at softening his path towards a second term.

The statement reads “It is highly imperative for us to alert the public, INEC and the security agencies about certain steps being taken by the governor and some of his agents to perpetrate vote-buying and other sharp practices in their bid to compromise the forthcoming general election in the state in favor of the candidates of the PDP.

“The truth of the matter is that Gov. Makinde has got enough money from the treasury of the state to prosecute his mission to influence voters and other critical stakeholders before, during and after the gubernatorial election in particular.”

The APC stated that the way in which Makinde is carrying out his campaign activities has shown that he would be forcefully taking over power.

According to them, PDP has not held a single political rally in any part of the state after more than 90 days INEC lifted the ban on open campaign.

The opposition argued that this singular act indicates that the governor has something up his sleeve.

“The sloppy manner in which Oyo PDP under Gov. Makinde carries out its campaign activities has suggested to the discerning minds that the governor and his people do not place their hope of second term in office on decent electioneering and credible electoral process. Up till now, the ruling Oyo PDP has not held a single political rally in any part of the state after more than 90 days when INEC had lifted ban on open campaigns in the build up to the 2023 general election.”

Rather than engage the electorate and give an account of stewardship in the last 42 months with a viewing to retaining the confidence of the people, Gov. Makinde has commissioned a good number of foot soldiers to negotiate for votes with dole out of crumbs and financial inducement. A good reference is the hijack of federal government’s social scheme whereby citizens are being paid varying sums of money to cushion the effects of economic meltdown. We have it on good authority that Oyo state,” APC added.