Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road Flag-off: Tinubu, APC Scared of Makinde’s Popularity, Performance, Says APM

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has criticized the Tinubu Presidency for not inviting the APM Presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, to the flag-off ceremony of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode federal road project. According to the party's National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubukar, the Tinubu Presidency is hesitant to include Governor Makinde at the event, fearing that his popularity could overshadow President Tinubu.

The APM argues that the Tinubu Presidency is unaware of the success of Governor Makinde in Oyo State. While President Tinubu, who hails from the southwest, has failed to initiate, execute and complete over 250 kilometers of roads in the entire region since his assumption of office in 2023, Governor Makinde has successfully commissioned more than 360 kilometers of roads in Oyo State alone.

Additionally, Governor Makinde has been instrumental in uniting and galvanizing other governors, leaders, and stakeholders across the country on major national issues, which would further draw attention to him during such an event.

The APM believes that President Tinubu's absence at the ceremony could be a result of his fear of Governor Makinde's popularity. Regardless, the APM and its candidate are not deterred by the incident. They warn that the APC and the Tinubu Presidency cannot continue to avoid Governor Makinde indefinitely. They predict that in the upcoming presidential election in January 2027, the people of Nigeria will overwhelmingly support Governor Makinde as the replacement for President Tinubu, and this preference cannot be ignored.