The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that it will not participate in the proposed local government election scheduled for December 26, 2026, describing the exercise as illegal, unnecessary, and politically motivated.
The party alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde is attempting to use the election to install loyalists in local government councils before the end of his administration, warning that the move could worsen governance challenges at the grassroots level.
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) had earlier fixed January 2027 for the conduct of local government elections. However, following the release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the commission rescheduled the exercise to December 26, 2026.
The decision has drawn criticism from political stakeholders within and outside the state, many of whom have questioned the need for a fresh election barely six months before the expiration of the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors across the state’s 33 local government areas and 351 wards.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said it would boycott the election and work with other stakeholders to prevent what it described as a waste of public resources.
The party claimed that the planned poll was part of an effort by Governor Makinde to retain influence over local government administration beyond the end of his tenure on May 29, 2027.
According to the APC, the governor has consistently demonstrated opposition to local government autonomy and cannot be trusted to promote genuine democracy at the grassroots level.
The party accused the governor of controlling resources meant for the state’s 33 local government councils for more than seven years, adding that residents are eager to see greater independence for local councils after his departure from office.
The APC further alleged that the governor intends to install loyalists in council positions before leaving office, arguing that such a move would allow him to maintain political influence even after the 2027 general elections.
The statement also referenced the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen local government autonomy, claiming that the proposed election contradicts those objectives and undermines democratic governance at the grassroots.
The opposition party linked poor development and insecurity in some rural communities to what it described as the state’s handling of local government finances. It questioned how some councils reportedly receive substantial monthly allocations from the Federal Government without visible improvements in infrastructure and public services.
The APC also criticized previous local government elections conducted in the state in 2020 and 2024, alleging that they lacked credibility. It vowed to resist what it described as another attempt to impose officials through a flawed electoral process.
The party warned OYSIEC officials against proceeding with preparations for the election, insisting that the exercise lacks legitimacy and does not reflect the wishes of the people.
The APC maintained that residents of Oyo State are demanding genuine local government autonomy, transparency, and democratic governance at the grassroots level. It urged OYSIEC to suspend all arrangements for the December poll, arguing that the election would neither strengthen democracy nor address the challenges facing local councils across the state.
Oyo APC Rejects Planned December 2026 LG Poll, Accuses Makinde of Political Manipulation
