The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of using his 2027 presidential ambition as a strategy to avoid accountability over what the party described as multiple cases of corruption and abuse of office.
Oyo APC made the allegation in a statement issued at the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, in Ibadan.
Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as Oyo governor, is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election.
The party has already commenced its presidential campaign, including the commissioning of a campaign office in Abuja earlier this month.
According to Sadare, the governor’s presidential project was designed to create an avenue for him to leave Nigeria before the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2027.
The APC spokesman alleged that Makinde was seeking to distract anti-corruption agencies and Nigerians from pending cases involving his administration.
The opposition party listed alleged false asset declaration, diversion of local government funds, contract variation, money laundering, land grabbing, sponsorship of violence, illegal sale of government properties, questionable loans, contempt of court and disobedience to court orders among the issues it said would require the governor’s attention after leaving office.
Sadare also criticised the governor’s involvement in political activities ahead of the 2027 election, accusing the administration of using Oyo State resources to support Makinde’s presidential campaign.
Particular attention was drawn to a youth-focused music concert scheduled for Monday, September 21, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Reports about the event indicate that it is being organised under the Young, United and Unstoppable (YUU) platform by Boye Nation and the JAF Movement, with entertainment and political mobilisation forming part of the programme.
APC described the reported declaration of September 21 as a public holiday in Oyo State as an abuse of office and questioned the rationale for such a move.
The party also questioned Makinde’s decision to contest the presidency on the APM platform, arguing that the party lacks the nationwide political structure required to mount a competitive presidential campaign.
“After he had played an inglorious role in the relegation of the PDP, Makinde made it to a colourless APM and he hijacked the party’s presidential ticket,” the APC said.
It further argued that the APM’s performance in recent by-elections demonstrated its limited political presence outside Oyo and Bauchi states.
The APC asked how Makinde could successfully pursue the presidency under a party it described as lacking a broad national structure.
Makinde and the APM, however, have presented a different narrative about the 2027 contest.
The party says its presidential campaign is built around its “Reset Nigeria” agenda, with emphasis on the economy, security, education and governance.
The APM has also promoted Makinde’s record in Oyo State as the basis for its presidential campaign, while positioning former Department of State Services Director-General Lawal Daura as his running mate.
