Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday said the Supreme Court verdict has validated the sacking of the 68 local government and local government development areas and the poll taking place on Saturday.
It would be recalled that the apex court had, May 7 2021, said Makinde was wrong to have sacked the council chairmen elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) during the reign of the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
However, Makinde claimed that God gave Oyo State government and PDP victory at the court because He is greater than the sacked chairmen who caused a lot of crises.
The governor stated these during the official presentation of flags to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidates contesting elections in Ibadan North East and Ibadan South East Local Government Areas in the Saturday 22nd council poll.
He added that the outgone chairmen caused a lot of crises.
Makinde said: “When we sent the chairmen away, the then Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation ordered that the Police should usher them back to their various councils, but about two weeks ago, the Supreme Court finally sent them away. This action, practically, has validated the exercise we want to engage in on Saturday.
“When I was elected as governor of the state and got sworn in at the Liberty Stadium, we sent the ‘All-gone Chairmen’ away. Are they all gone now or not?
“It is not as if they did not cause crisis but we got the victory because God is bigger than them and we need to thank God for that”.
He maintained that the third tier of government would complement his strides in the state.
“So, I want to assure you that the local government will complement all the things we have been doing at the state level”, he said.
Makinde appealed to party faithful to support the standard-bearers, saying others who did not get tickets would be given appointments.
His words: “Let me also say this: the election of Saturday will produce Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors. So, other party members who are yet to get something should please bear with us as there are still some other positions like Secretary, supervisory councillors and others that are to be filled by party members. So, support them when they get to that position because I know that you will get yours too in no time.”
