Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has attributed the use of diesel-powered generators for streetlights in the state to the Federal Government's failure to address Nigeria's electricity crisis. He made this statement while reacting to criticisms from the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the development. Makinde spoke at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, where a political structure led by former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, formally defected from the APC to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The event, themed "Young, United, Unstoppable," drew thousands of supporters and served as the formal reception for the defectors into the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde responded to recent criticism by the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, over the diesel-powered streetlights. He told critics to recall the promise allegedly made by their political principal to fix the nation's power problem within four years.
Makinde argued that if the electricity challenge had been resolved as promised, state governments would not need to resort to generators to power streetlights. He stated that the APC's former presidential candidate had promised to fix the nation's power problem within his first four years in office, saying that if he failed, Nigerians should not vote for him again. Makinde emphasized that the current situation was a result of the Federal Government's failure to address the nation's power crisis.
The governor also responded to comments about his professional background, stating that he is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He described the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekambi, as a thorough professional and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. Makinde drew an analogy with the legal profession, saying that lawyers who attain the peak of the profession are designated Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
Makinde urged Senator Alli to focus on the governorship contest against the APM candidate rather than attacking him. He emphasized that the absence of a "Junior Advocate" title does not diminish other lawyers. The governor's comments were made in response to criticism from the APC, which has questioned the use of diesel-powered generators for streetlights in Oyo State.
In an interview with journalists at the event, the APM candidate for Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency, Akin Fagbemi, said the massive turnout was an indication of growing acceptance of the party in Oyo State. Fagbemi expressed optimism that the momentum would spread beyond the state ahead of the 2027 elections. He stated that the party's "Reset Nigeria" agenda is designed to tackle unemployment, economic hardship, and other challenges facing Nigerians.
According to Fagbemi, Makinde and other APM candidates would deliver meaningful development if elected. The event marked a significant boost to the APM's campaign in Oyo State, with thousands of supporters attending and showing their support for the party. The development is seen as a major setback for the APC, which has been the dominant party in the state.
Key points
- Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, blames the Federal Government's failure to address Nigeria's electricity crisis for the use of diesel-powered generators for streetlights in the state.
- Makinde urges Senator Sharafadeen Alli to focus on the governorship contest against the APM candidate rather than attacking him.
- The APM's "Reset Nigeria" agenda aims to tackle unemployment, economic hardship, and other challenges facing Nigerians.
