2027: Oyo APC Accuses Makinde Of Planning Crackdown On Opposition Campaigns

The opposition party said it was reacting to a recent notice issued by the state government announcing plans to impose regulatory and financial requirements on candidates and their supporters intending to use outdoor advertising facilities, such as billboards, for their campaigns.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC alleged that it had uncovered plans by the state government to deny opposition candidates access to outdoor advertising opportunities, with the aim of making only the candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) visible across the state.

“While it is obvious that the ruling party in the state is responsible for the defacing and destruction of outdoor information and campaign materials, including billboards and posters belonging to opposition figures, the latest directive allegedly given to the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) to clamp down on non-APM campaigners is a mockery of democracy.

“It is both shameful and laughable.

“The state government may have come up with what it considers selfish, draconian and repressive measures aimed at silencing the opposition, but we assure the general public that this development will not stop the APC from taking its Renewed Hope Agenda message to the electorate and securing their votes in 2027.

“We therefore urge Governor Makinde and his agents to desist from actions capable of undermining democracy and the rule of law in the country.

“At the same time, the whole world is aware of the Makinde administration’s efforts to cover up the truth about the numerous atrocities allegedly committed since May 29, 2019, while using a section of the media to mislead the public. However, falsehood may travel for years, but the truth will overtake it in the blink of an eye.

“The day of reckoning is near, and nothing can stop the people from reclaiming their mandate from power mongers and fake democrats,” Sadare said.