Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against disrupting democratic processes in Osun State’s local government administration, urging the party not to resort to self-help or misuse federal influence in order not to truncate democracy not only in Osun State but also in the entire South West and Nigeria as a whole.
Makinde issued this warning on Sunday – yesterday, February 23 – at the swearing-in of 30 newly elected local government chairmen in Osun State at the Osun State Government House, Osogbo, the State capital.
He emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring that due process is followed in implementing any court judgment.
Accompanied by the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, Makinde attended the event in Osogbo to show solidarity with Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Congratulating the newly elected chairmen, Makinde urged them to fulfill their campaign promises and work diligently to improve grassroots governance, noting that their performance could serve as a stepping stone to higher political positions.
Addressing recent tensions in Osun, Makinde warned against actions that could destabilize the state, recalling the region’s turbulent political history that once earned the South-West the nickname “Wild Wild West.”
He stressed the need for peaceful governance, stating that political conflicts should be resolved through lawful means rather than force or federal intervention.
“We are all students of history and know what the South-West went through in the past. We do not want a repeat of that,” Makinde said. “Nobody should resort to self-help. Even with a court judgment, there is a process—let the process play out. Federal might should not be used to truncate democracy.”
He also highlighted the recent South-West Governors’ Forum meeting in Lagos, where both PDP and APC Governors discussed common regional issues, expressing hope hope for continued cooperation across party lines to ensure good governance for the people.
