Oyo APC Says Makinde’s Presidential Ambition Is ‘Dead On Arrival’

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed the presidential ambition of Governor Seyi Makinde, describing it as “dead on arrival.”

The opposition party made its position known in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare.

The reaction followed Makinde’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement ahead of the 2027 general election.

The governor was presented with the party’s flag during an event held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday.

Reacting to the development, the APC accused Makinde of neglecting governance in Oyo State in pursuit of his national political ambition.

According to the party, the governor has not met the expectations of residents during his years in office and should focus on addressing challenges facing the state rather than seeking higher office.

The APC argued that Makinde currently occupies a position that gives him the authority and opportunity to tackle pressing issues affecting the people of Oyo State.

The party further maintained that the governor has no justification for what it described as poor performance in office.

“Certainly, Gov. Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival, but our fear is about the amount of losses, deprivation and wastefulness which the good people of the state would be subjected to in the next one year under his leadership,” the statement read.

The APC also criticised the governor’s leadership style, insisting that the people of Oyo State deserve a more committed and collaborative administration.

“The people of Oyo State deserve a team player, a sincere and humble person as their governor, and since Makinde has failed to demonstrate these qualities in the last seven years, he should just apologise and quit the state,” the party added.

The latest exchange adds to growing political tensions in Oyo State as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Neither Governor Makinde nor the APM had officially responded to the APC’s remarks as of the time of filing this report.