Oyo APC Youths Slam Makinde Over ‘Unrealistic’ Presidential Ambition

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Youth League has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party of neglecting governance in pursuit of what it described as an “unrealistic presidential ambition.”

Makinde, who has been touted as one of the likely PDP presidential aspirants from the South in 2027, had earlier declared in April that he possessed the capacity to lead Nigeria.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, the Oyo State Coordinator of the APC Youth League, Ayobami Dagilogba, alleged that the governor was squandering state resources on personal political interests while leaving pressing developmental issues unattended.

Dagilogba cited the governor’s recent distribution of cars to select individuals in the state, describing it as a “Father Christmas” gesture that contrasts sharply with the challenges confronting Oyo residents.

“Despite being in office, no model schools have been built, depriving students of quality education. The exodus of medical personnel from government hospitals has compromised healthcare delivery, leaving citizens to suffer. The lack of local government autonomy has stifled grassroots development, while farmers struggle to access support and resources,” the statement read in part.

The youth group further said Makinde’s “extravagant car distribution” had raised questions about his priorities, insisting that the people of Oyo State deserved better governance.

While outlining strategies for repositioning the APC, Dagilogba called for including youths in party leadership, stressing that their creativity and energy were vital for the party’s survival ahead of the 2027 polls.

He also urged genuine reconciliation among aggrieved members and warned against the imposition of candidates, which he said could weaken the party.

“At this critical juncture, it is imperative for APC in Oyo State to unite and build a formidable front ahead of 2027. We cannot continue along the same path as in the past while expecting different results,” he said.

Dagilogba announced that the group would stage a “Tinubu Loyalty Walk” on October 4 to demonstrate solidarity with President Bola Tinubu and the APC’s progressive family.

He urged the President, the APC National Working Committee and the Oyo State leadership of the party to urgently address internal issues to reclaim power from the PDP in 2027.

When contacted for comments, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, declined to respond, saying, “We shall not dignify the statement with a response.”

The PDP unseated the APC in Oyo State in 2019 after the eight-year tenure of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Since then, the APC has struggled to reclaim power, losing to Makinde again in 2023 despite fielding former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the opposition party intensifies efforts to heal divisions within its ranks to mount a stronger challenge for the governorship seat.