The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported presidential ambition as an “escape strategy”, alleging that the project is designed to create an avenue for the governor to leave the country before May 29, 2027, in an attempt to evade possible prosecution over what the party described as several alleged cases of graft and abuse of office.
Makinde, who is serving his second and last term as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general elections.
The Oyo APC alleged that the governor has been “squandering” the state’s resources on various political activities.
The party also faulted the reported declaration of Monday, September 21, as a public holiday in Oyo State, alleging that the decision was intended to popularise a musical concert organised to entertain youths in Ibadan.
The APC described the development as an abuse of office by the governor.
In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said political watchers had questioned how Makinde could aspire to become president “at a time when a master of the game has his hands on the lever.”
Sadare said some pundits had also described Makinde’s presidential ambition as a “mere show of comedy”, alleging that it lacked substance, a clear-cut strategy and seriousness on the part of the governor as a presidential contestant.
The statement further alleged that Makinde’s presidential project was aimed at “hoodwinking Nigerians”, distracting anti-graft agencies allegedly investigating him and securing an escape route from the country from January 1, 2027.
“We are working on the details of his plans even as relevant security agents are already on red alert because he (Makinde) will be made to answer for all his atrocities since he was sworn in as governor in May 2019,” the APC said.
The party listed what it described as “false asset declaration, diversion of local government council funds, contract sum variation, money laundering, land grabbing, sponsorship of violence, illegal sale of government properties, collection of fraudulent loans, contempt of the court and disobedience to court orders” among the allegations it said could not be swept under the carpet.
According to the APC, the governor and a “handful number of individuals” allegedly liable to prosecution over the cases were aware of what lay ahead of them, adding that this was the reason, in the party’s view, they wanted to leave the country before May 29, 2027.
The party also criticised Makinde’s political journey, alleging that after playing what it described as an “inglorious role” in the relegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he moved to the APM and “hijacked” its presidential ticket.
The APC further claimed that the APM was “roundly beaten” in by-elections conducted across six constituencies in the country over the weekend, alleging that the party could only boast of a few members in Oyo and Bauchi states out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“How then can Makinde contest and win presidential election in the country under the unpopular political party?” the APC queried.
 in Oyo State has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported presidential ambition as an “escape strategy”, alleging that the project is designed to create an avenue for the governor to leave the country before May 29, 2027, in an attempt to evade possible prosecution over what the party described as several alleged cases of graft and abuse of office.){kind=link}