A former Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly and current Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Samuel Adejumobi, popularly known as Agbarapo, has described the early political activities of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State as a clear sign of acute fear, desperation and disregard for electoral guidelines.
Agbarapo faulted the Oyo State chapter of the APC for embarking on what he called premature and unauthorized political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not declared the commencement of campaigns for any political party.
In a statement forwarded to westernmirror.com.ng on Tuesday in Ibadan, Agbarapo said the actions of the opposition party were not only unlawful but also insulting to the political maturity of the people of the state.
It was gathered that the opposition party in the state has been on a political tour of local government under the auspices of the Renewed Hope Agenda for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu.
According to Agbarapo however, “When a party begins to campaign outside the window provided by law, it only exposes its fear and lack of confidence.
“It is untamed desperation, plain and simple. The people of Oyo State are wiser now. They know the difference between performance and political propaganda, and they will reject APC again and again as they have done in the past,” Agbarapo said.
The former lawmaker recalled what he described as the severe hardship experienced by residents during the eight years of APC administration in the state, wondering what legacy the party believed it left behind at the Agodi Government House.
He noted that the electorate had already given its verdict by rejecting the APC in two consecutive governorship elections, stressing that nothing had changed to warrant a different outcome in 2027.
Agbarapo dismissed APC’d claim that it could reclaim the state come 2027 saying such would not be allowed to happen even if the party go through what he termed “federal might,” insisting that no backdoor approach would return the opposition party to power.
In his words, “No amount of dependence on federal power will save them, that’s the most sacrosanct and indispensable fact. Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements are visible, measurable, and unprecedented.
“Governance in Oyo State has been clearly redefined and the cost going backward under these people can be better imagined.”
He cited the symbolic presentation of a white horse to Governor Makinde by the Oyo state pensioners at the annual interfaith prayer ceremony ushering the new working year as a powerful testament to the administration’s impact, describing it as an unprecedented show of appreciation and reaffirmation of support by a group that had often been neglected to die or wallow in abject poverty in the past.
Reacting to claims by the APC that reclaiming Oyo State by 2027 was no longer in doubt, Agbarapo said the statement was laughable and revealed the anxiety of politicians who, in his words, were united by a single agenda.
He said, “These are political enemies brought together by fear, anxiety, and desperation. They are afraid that Makinde’s record will officially retire most of them from politics after 2027, and for that we must praise Makinde for being who I like to describe as “ekun oko Oyo APC”.
He accused the opposition party of being motivated by a desire to regain access to public resources rather than any genuine interest in public service citing the multifaceted security and economic challenges in the country as evidence to corroborate his claims.
“What they want is access to the commonwealth of the people so they can share it among friends, allies, and cronies, while the masses are left with crumbs,” he added.
Agbarapo maintained that Governor Makinde had sustained what many once considered impossible by setting a clear standard of governance anchored on transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline, and prudent use of state resources.
“For the first time, Oyo State resources are being used strictly to develop Oyo State,” he said.
He argued that the 2027 governorship election in the state would not be a contest between political parties in the conventional sense, but a choice between two opposing realities.
“It is APC versus the people,” Agbarapo said. “The people have seen results, not excuses, they’ve tasted government under the opposition party and under the the PDP because of who is in charge. They know better now I’m certain of that,” Agbarapo stated.
The governor’s aide further highlighted Makinde’s handling of some of the most challenging economic periods in recent history, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARS protests, fuel subsidy removal, and the floating of the naira, all of which almost grounded the economy of the nation.
According to him, the Makinde led administration demonstrated high-level economic management skills during these periods, ensuring stability and continuity in governance despite national and global shocks.
“Even in the face of these unprecedented challenges, Oyo workers and pensioners were paid, residents enjoyed improved quality of life, and the state’s revenue base continued to grow, this stands in sharp contrast to what obtained in many other states across the country especially those under the APC.”
Agbarapo however, stated that the confidence of the people in the current administration was rooted in lived experience, not political rhetoric, adding that 2027 would simply reaffirm a decision already made by an enlightened electorate unmoved by political jamboree and false propaganda.
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