Former Attorney General of Oyo State, SAN Mutalibu Ojo, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is in complete disarray and lacks the cohesion required to win any major election.
Speaking on a radio programme on Saturday in Ibadan, Ojo lamented the state of the party since the passing of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, stating that “APC died with Ajimobi.” He noted that the party has struggled to regain its footing and has failed to provide effective leadership or rally its members.
Ojo argued that APC’s performance in the last general election was not a testament to its strength but rather a result of Governor Seyi Makinde’s strategic support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “What they had was because Governor Makinde allowed them due to his massive support for Asiwaju,” he said. “If Makinde had mobilized the National Assembly candidates the way it should have been done, APC wouldn’t have won nine House of Representatives seats and three Senate positions.”
Describing the party’s internal state as fractured, Ojo declared, “APC is dead in Oyo,” and challenged its leaders to unite and pool their resources if they are to remain relevant. He singled out former Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, as the only APC figure who delivered his constituency in the last election.
Comparing the party’s structure in Oyo to Osun State, Ojo noted that while Osun APC boasts influential leaders and political “gladiators,” like. Chief Bisi Akande, Gbogega Oyetola, Sauraju Ajibola and other, Oyo has only “pockets of oasis of leadership.” He questioned the strength of the new coalition being formed in the South-West, stressing that without collective effort, former Minister Rauf Aregbesola “can’t do it alone” in Osun, and that even the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) may not secure 25 percent of votes in the state. “Where is ADC in Oyo State? Who are the people in that party?” he asked.
Looking ahead, Ojo predicted a disastrous outcome for APC in the forthcoming Ibadan North by-election, warning that the party would “fail woefully.” Despite acknowledging President Tinubu’s strong influence in the state, he maintained that the remnants of APC, coupled with Governor Makinde’s growing Influence and popularity will strengthen APC chances in future presidential elections.
He concluded by praising Governor Makinde, describing him as an “Omoluabi Yoruba to the core,” and speculated that should Makinde join APC, he would become a rallying force in Oyo politics. “If God will save them, let Governor Seyi Makinde move to APC,” Ojo stated. “I know Makinde will stand with the President, and together, they can produce a worthy successor.”
