APM Led By Makinde Will Not Crumble On Empty Propaganda — APC Must First Explain Its Eight Years Of Little Impact In Oyo || ▪︎ By Dr Peter Akande 

3rd of September,2026

By Dr Peter Akande

I have read the statement credited to Sola Abegunde that his friends in APM should run because the political structure of Governor Seyi Makinde will soon crumble. With due respect, this is nothing more than a political prediction. The reality is that it is APC that is seeking to challenge the APM-led government of Governor Seyi Makinde, and therefore APC should tell Oyo people what it is bringing to the table.

Before APC begins to celebrate the imagined collapse of APM, let us ask a simple question: what did APC achieve during its years in government in Oyo State that should make the people rush back to it?

Nobody is saying that the previous APC administration did absolutely nothing. There were projects and policies. But when the totality of eight years is placed on the scale, Oyo people have every right to ask whether the performance was enough to justify another opportunity.

Today, under Governor Seyi Makinde, there are achievements that cannot simply be wished away.

In education, the administration upgraded Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to Emmanuel Alayande University of Education.

The government has also continued to strengthen LAUTECH and develop the Iseyin campus, while moves are being made to further expand tertiary education in the state.

On infrastructure, several roads have been constructed and rehabilitated across Oyo State, while major projects such as the Ibadan Circular Road and other strategic road networks have received attention.

But perhaps one of the areas that deserves greater attention is workers’ and pensioners’ welfare.

For many years, Nigerian workers and pensioners have complained about poor welfare, unpaid obligations, delayed promotions, salary deductions and accumulated pension and gratuity arrears. The Makinde administration has made workers’ welfare a major component of its governance agenda.

The administration has implemented salary and wage improvements, engaged organised labour, addressed promotion-related issues and taken steps to improve the welfare of civil servants. Workers have also benefited from measures introduced in response to the rising cost of living and the new national minimum-wage regime.

Pensioners have also received attention through the payment of pensions, gratuities and interventions toward clearing inherited liabilities. This is particularly important because pensioners are people who have already given the productive years of their lives to the service of the state. They deserve dignity and timely payment after retirement.

The issue is not merely about paying salaries. It is about restoring confidence among workers that government remembers them while they are serving and will not abandon them when they retire.

This is why I find it difficult when some people speak as though nothing has happened in Oyo State since 2019.

Under Makinde, there have also been interventions in healthcare, agriculture, security, education, rural development and youth empowerment. The administration has continued to pursue policies aimed at expanding the economic base of the state and improving infrastructure.

Again, I am not saying Governor Makinde is perfect. No governor is. There are areas where his administration can improve, and we should continue to hold government accountable. But responsible criticism requires us to acknowledge both achievements and shortcomings.

APC wants to challenge APM in 2027. That is legitimate in a democracy. But APC should come with a convincing argument.

What did you achieve during your eight years in Oyo State? What will you do differently? How will you improve the welfare of workers and pensioners? What is your plan for education? What is your plan for roads, healthcare, agriculture, security and employment?

These are the questions Oyo people will ask.

The answer cannot simply be that “Makinde’s political dynasty will crumble.”

Political power is not inherited. It belongs to the people.

If APC believes that APM will lose in 2027, let APC work for the votes. Present credible candidates. Present a clear manifesto. Explain your plans. Convince the workers. Convince the pensioners. Convince the students. Convince the farmers. Convince the youths. Convince the traders and the ordinary people of Oyo State.

But do not underestimate the people’s ability to compare administrations.

They remember what happened before 2019.

They can see what is happening now. They can compare the treatment of workers and pensioners. They can compare education, roads and infrastructure. They can judge the different administrations based on their experiences.

Therefore, instead of announcing the collapse of the Makinde-led APM structure, let APC first demonstrate that it has a better record and a better programme for Oyo State.

The 2027 election will not be decided by social-media declarations. It will be decided by the people.

APM LED BY GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE WILL NOT CRUMBLE BECAUSE APC WISHES IT TO. IF APC WANTS TO TAKE OVER, LET IT EARN THE CONFIDENCE OF OYO PEOPLE.

Let the records speak.

Let the people compare.

Let the people decide.