The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of wasting public funds on what it described as a “clownish presidential ambition”, vowing that those behind it will be made to refund every kobo to the state at the appropriate time.
In a statement issued at the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party described Makinde’s presidential aspiration as a “political drama script” designed to entertain and distract the people.
The APC was reacting to comments made by the Governor on Saturday during his installation as the Aare Asoludero of Ibarapaland by the Eleruwa of Eruwa where Makinde said he would be available to receive many chieftaincy titles after completing his tenure in May 2027 because he would be free and have nothing serious to do again at that time.
The party noted that despite speaking for several minutes, the Governor said nothing concrete about his next political project.
The APC cautioned Makinde against issuing threats to citizens of the state, including traditional rulers and religious leaders, simply because they receive APC candidates and supporters in the palaces and places of worship.
The party insisted that Makinde does not possess the capacity to contest against President Bola Tinubu in 2027, saying he was only making noise to distract the global community.
“It is important for us to reiterate that Gov. Makinde does not possess the wherewithal to slug it out with President Bola Tinubu in 2027 but he is only out to make some noise and distract the global community,” the statement read.
APC further alleged that Makinde cannot achieve his aim of emerging “Political Comedian of the Year” without wasting the resources of the Pacesetters State, adding that this would not augur well for the good people of the state.
According to the party, “Makinde knows, in his mind, that contesting for the Nigerian presidency is not a child’s play while he does not possess the personal quality, experience and strategy to be the next president in 2027.”
It added that the Governor was only parading himself as the presidential candidate of the “structureless Allied Peoples Movement, APM.”
The statement claimed Makinde could afford to display campaign posters and billboards in parts of Oyo and Bauchi states, saying”the best he can get, even if he gets himself on the ballot, is to come a distant 8th position.”
APC said most Nigerians, including leaders of thought and eminent personalities, know that President Tinubu is the best for the country, and that focus on his likely successor would shift to the North after his reelection in 2027.
“This implies that the person of Seyi Makinde cannot be trusted to rule the world’s most populous black nation at a time like this,” the party stated.
The statement concluded that Makinde was embarking on a political journey that had failed before its commencement, and warned that “he would be made to cough out all the public funds he wasted on it” as he is being closely monitored.
