The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized Governor Seyi Makinde for allegedly interfering in the ongoing local government crisis in Osun State.
The party warned Makinde against making inflammatory comments or taking actions that could incite conflict among Osun residents.
The crisis stems from a recent Appeal Court ruling that overturned the dismissal of APC-elected local government officials by Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2022. The court ordered their reinstatement, but the Osun State government countered this by swearing in its own party members, escalating tensions.
In a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned Makinde’s presence at the swearing-in ceremony of PDP-backed officials in Osogbo, calling it a “show of shame” aimed at undermining democracy and opposing President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen local governance.
“As much as we have refrained from interfering in Osun’s internal affairs, Governor Makinde’s involvement and remarks at the event reflect a blatant attempt to manipulate the crisis for political gain,” the statement read.
Sadare accused Governor Adeleke of defying a competent court’s ruling by orchestrating a contradictory decision from a State High Court. He also criticized Makinde for aligning with forces allegedly working against democratic principles.
“The people of Osun deserve competent leadership, not a governor who disregards court verdicts for personal or political reasons. The actions of Adeleke and his allies have set a troubling precedent in Nigeria’s democratic history,” he added.
Oyo APC further accused Makinde of embarrassing the people of his own state by meddling in Osun’s affairs while failing to address pressing governance issues at home.
“The staged local government election in Osun was a clear attempt to subvert democracy. Governor Makinde should focus on Oyo State’s challenges instead of interfering in matters beyond his jurisdiction,” the statement concluded.
