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A former Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Samuel Adejumobi, popularly known as Agbarapo, has criticised the early political activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, describing them as a manifestation of fear, desperation and disregard for electoral laws.
Agbarapo faulted the Oyo State chapter of the APC for what he termed premature and unauthorised campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not announced the commencement of campaign activities for any political party.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Ibadan, he said the opposition party’s actions were unlawful and showed a lack of respect for the political maturity and awareness of the people of Oyo State.
Reports had indicated that the APC was touring several local government areas in the state under the banner of the Renewed Hope Agenda in support of the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.
Reacting, Agbarapo said any political party that embarks on campaigns outside the period stipulated by law only exposes its insecurity and lack of confidence in its performance while in office.
According to him, the APC’s actions amount to “untamed desperation,” adding that the people of Oyo State are now politically enlightened and can clearly differentiate between governance and propaganda.
He recalled the eight years of APC administration in the state, which he said were characterised by hardship and poor governance, and questioned the legacy the party believed it left behind at the Agodi Government House.
Agbarapo noted that the electorate had already passed its verdict by rejecting the APC in two consecutive governorship elections, insisting that nothing had changed to justify a different outcome in 2027.
He dismissed claims by the party that it would reclaim the state at the next polls, arguing that such ambitions would fail even with what he described as federal backing.
According to him, the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde are visible, measurable and unprecedented, adding that governance in Oyo State has been redefined and that a return to APC rule would come at an enormous cost to the people.
Agbarapo cited the recent presentation of a white horse to Governor Makinde by Oyo State pensioners during an interfaith prayer ceremony as a symbolic and unprecedented show of appreciation for an administration he said prioritises the welfare of workers and retirees.
He described the APC’s recent statements about reclaiming the state as laughable, contending that the party’s leaders were united not by vision but by fear of political irrelevance after 2027.
He further accused the opposition of being driven by a desire to regain access to public funds rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the people, pointing to prevailing security and economic challenges across the country as evidence.
Agbarapo maintained that the Makinde administration has set a new standard in transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, noting that state funds are now deployed strictly for development purposes.
He concluded that the 2027 governorship election would present voters with a clear choice between the people and a party they have already rejected, adding that confidence in the current administration is rooted in lived experience, not political slogans.
