The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it will not participate in the proposed local government election scheduled for December 26, 2026, accusing Governor Seyi Makinde of attempting to retain political influence after leaving office.

The opposition party described the planned poll as illegal, ill-conceived, and designed to install individuals loyal to the governor in local government councils ahead of the end of his tenure on May 29, 2027.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) had initially fixed January 2027 for the election but later moved it to December 2026 following the release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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The rescheduling has drawn criticism from political stakeholders, who questioned the need for fresh local government elections barely six months before the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors expires across the state’s 33 local government areas and 351 wards.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by the APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party announced its decision to boycott the poll and vowed to work with other stakeholders to stop what it described as an attempt to waste public resources.

According to the APC, the proposed election is part of a broader plan by Governor Makinde to maintain control of local government administration after leaving office.

“The same Makinde is now trying to impose another set of lackeys who would be loyal to him even after leaving Agodi Government House, and he knows he cannot do this after the conduct of the 2027 general elections, the outcome of which would strip him of all political power and influence,” the statement said.

The party also accused the governor of opposing local government autonomy and interfering with grassroots democracy.

“The whole world knows that Gov. Makinde does not believe in local government autonomy, and when it comes to democracy at the grassroots, he cannot be trusted for anything,” APC stated.

The opposition party further alleged that local government funds had been mismanaged under the current administration, citing Oriire Local Government as an example.

“Or how can one explain the situation whereby a local government council like Oriire receives over N550 million in monthly allocation from the federal government, and there is nothing to show for it because a governor sits on the money in the name of Joint Account operation with his own office?” the statement queried.

The APC also linked the issue to insecurity in some rural communities, claiming that poor local government administration had left some areas vulnerable to attacks.

“It is sad that Gov. Makinde wishes for the continuation of the system that exposed Ahoro Esiele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area and other rural communities in the state to bandit attacks,” the party alleged.

Describing previous local government elections in the state as fraudulent, the APC insisted that residents would no longer tolerate what it called manipulated electoral exercises.

“The fraud called local government polls in 2020 and 2024 are the last that the good people of the state would witness,” the statement added.

The party urged OYSIEC to halt preparations for the December election, maintaining that the exercise lacks legitimacy and would neither strengthen democracy nor address challenges facing local councils across the state.

APC further insisted that the people of Oyo State are demanding genuine local government autonomy, transparency, and democratic governance at the grassroots level.

A major political development has emerged in Kano State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, son of former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, officially entering the race as the running mate to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

The announcement was disclosed on Monday by the spokesperson of the Kwankwassiya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, who confirmed that Mustapha Kwankwaso had been selected as Gwarzo’s deputy governorship candidate for the upcoming election.

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“Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been unveiled as the running mate to His Excellency Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo for the 2027 governorship election,” Mohammed stated.

Mustapha Kwankwaso, a businessman and politician, is widely recognized as one of the prominent figures within the Kwankwassiya political movement, a powerful political bloc founded by his father and known for its strong influence across Kano State.

His emergence on the NDC ticket is already generating discussions among political stakeholders, with many viewing the move as a strategic attempt to tap into the widespread support base associated with the Kwankwasiya movement.

Political observers believe the partnership between Gwarzo and Mustapha Kwankwaso could reshape the political dynamics in Kano as parties begin positioning themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship election.

The development also signals the growing involvement of a new generation of political actors in Kano politics, while highlighting the enduring influence of the Kwankwaso political family in the state’s affairs.

With more than a year before campaigns fully gather momentum, the Gwarzo-Kwankwaso ticket is already attracting attention and could become one of the most closely watched political alliances in Kano ahead of the 2027 polls.

Real Madrid president Real Madrid has confirmed the return of José Mourinho after incumbent president Florentino Pérez secured a landslide victory in the club’s presidential election, extending his rule until 2030.

Pérez won re-election with a commanding 65% of the vote, defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme, who secured 35%, according to the club’s Electoral Board.

The result reinforces Pérez’s long-standing leadership, which has now spanned more than two decades across two separate terms.

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Speaking after his victory, Pérez described the outcome as a strong endorsement of his vision for the club’s future, insisting that Real Madrid will continue to thrive both on and off the pitch.

The president also used the moment to confirm a major sporting development—the return of José Mourinho, a move that immediately sparked excitement among supporters.

Mourinho, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at the club, is widely regarded as one of the most influential managers in modern football.

Pérez said the club remains committed to competing at the highest level in Europe, with ambitions of securing a record-extending 16th UEFA Champions League title while continuing the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

He also reaffirmed his stance on the club’s ownership model, stressing that Real Madrid will remain a member-owned institution despite growing global trends toward private ownership in football.

The announcement has been widely interpreted as the beginning of a new competitive era for the Spanish giants, with expectations rising among fans following both the election result and Mourinho’s return.

Pérez ended his address with a call for unity among supporters, including those who did not vote for him, promising to continue addressing concerns while focusing on sporting success.