Governor Seyi Makinde and his political party, the Allied People’s Movement, APM are no longer hiding their desperation and frustration.
If the Governor of Oyo state could have his way, anyone who mentioned the name of Sarafa Alli and his political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo state, would be thrown into prison.
A while ago, I saw a video where some vigilant members of the public accosted some unscrupulous elements who were accused of removing the posters of Barr. Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, Oyo APC Gubernatorial candidate and replacing same with the posters of Bimbo Adekambi, the Gubernatorial candidate of the APM.
Before they were caught, the agents of darkness had removed hundreds of the posters of the APC candidate.
The question is, what does Governor Seyi Makinde stand to profit from this kind of illegality and acts which are capable of causing mayhem and violence?
Why would you think of foisting a situation where only the candidates of your political party would be allowed to paste posters and erect bill boards in preparation for the 2027 general election?
Are we under a kind of dictatorship arrangement in Oyo state?
I was informed that the incident happened around Akinyele Local Government, for the avoidance of doubts.
Not long ago, Governor Seyi Makinde was everywhere, complaining about his perception of President Tinubu.
To him, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu is stifling the opposition and the only reason he adduced for his unsubstantiated allegation was the fact that they were having unresolved internal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP.
Today, Governor Seyi Makinde is the presidential candidate of the APM and he has been touring the length and breath of Nigeria, freely, without being intimidated or harassed by anyone.
However, in Oyo state, where he is the Governor, the opposition are not allowed to paste posters or erect bill boards without facing encumbrances.
What a double standard?
Not long ago, the Gubernatorial candidate of another opposition political party in the state raised the alarm that his bill boards were pulled down illegally and replaced with that of Governor Seyi Makinde and Bimbo Adekambi.
A draconian regulation was issued through the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, OYSAA, introducing very stringent and unacceptable conditions for campaign advertisement within Oyo state.
You will want to ask, what does Governor Makinde want to achieve from all these?
What is the Governor afraid of?
I think it is apposite to let the Governor know that, Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli is written in the hearts of the electorates and with or without his posters, they will still vote for him as the next Governor of Oyo state.
What Governor Seyi Makinde lacks and I’m sure he also knows, is the authority to remove the logo of the APC from the ballot papers.
Sending miscreants into the streets to remove the posters of the APC Gubernatorial candidate is the height of desperation and I think, even the Governor should be ashamed of himself.
How did we get here? Governor Seyi Makinde was in the opposition in 2019. He was never molested nor harassed while campaigning to be Governor.
So, what has changed?
The election is still months away. Why is Governor Makinde and his party so scared of the APC?
The unfortunate part is that some people would not see this act of brigandage. They would not consider the topic as one fit for discussion when they sit behind the microphone.
However, if the opposition holds their Ward meeting and did not invite Governor Makinde, that would be an issue to flog over and over.
That is exactly why I have been saying that the opposition must be up and doing, leaving no stone unturned, even at the expense of being labeled ‘ alaseju’.
Tough times demands tough choices.
Like I said, Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli lives in the hearts of the electorates and not on a motionless poster.
Whatever Governor Seyi Makinde does, it would not change the imminent failure that awaits his party in 2027.
Sola Abegunde.
