By Gbade Oshin, Oyo.
A former commissioner in Oyo State, Honourable Peter Oluremi Odetomi, has predicted victory for the major opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it will recapture Oyo State in 2027.
Speaking with an Oodua News, Hon. Odetomi said that the infighting within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has almost disintegrated the party, has cleared the way for the APC to reclaim the state in the next general election.
Hon. Odetomi, who served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said the coast was clear for the APC to take over Oyo State, adding that the situation was worsened by the refusal of the state governor, Engineer Oluwaseyi Makinde, to grant full autonomy to local governments, as ruled by the Supreme Court in its recent judgment.
He said, “The refusal of the governor to allow local governments in the state to enjoy financial autonomy has led to their inability to effectively discharge their duties.”
According to him, “Local governments in the state are now a mere shadow of their former selves, as they are unable to perform functions that would satisfy the needs of rural communities.”
Speaking further, Honourable Odetomi noted that “a lot of indigenes of the state are dissatisfied with the pace of development” and have indicated their readiness “to vote for any party that will meet their needs and aspirations.”
On political developments in Ogbomoso following the death of Chief Bayo Alao-Akala, he said, “The demise of the political strongman created a wide gap which has been difficult to fill.”
He, however, assured that the good legacies “leaders of the political parties left behind have been working hard to bridge the gap and reposition Ogbomoso as a leading political centre in the state.”
