Youths from across the eleven local government areas of Ibadan, on Wednesday, declared their support for Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
The followed the judgment of the Court of Appeal which affirmed his victory in the March 9, 2019 governorship election.
The youths, under the aegis of Ibadan Youth Progressive Indigenes Association, IYPIA, maintained that no one could bring down the government of Governor Makinde, who they said was massively voted into office by the people.
The youths declared that Makinde’s mandate was a product of the majority of Oyo State residents, whom they said, spoke with their votes in support of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the governorship election.
The group, in a statement signed by its President-general, Kamorudeen Mudashiru Keji, and the Publicity Secretary, Akindele Alabi Ibrahim, warned the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop running around and trying to corner the people’s mandate through the courts.
The IYPIA said that the people had already rejected the APC at the polls, adding that Makinde made history on March 9 when he polled over 515,000 votes to win with a margin that no one had recorded in recent times.
The group stated that though it was non-partisan, its stance for truth, justice and progress of Oyo State would not allow it to keep quiet in the face of orchestrated attempt to steal the mandate of the people.
The statement read in part: “We have discovered the evil effort of some sets of politicians and opposition figures to upturn the will of God for our dear state by going through the back door to snatch a popular mandate delivered to Governor Seyi Makinde.
“As a concerned youth group in Oyo State, we feel it is time we joined other youth groups from the four other zones of the state to stand up for Governor Makinde, a leader with a human face. It is disappointing that some political leaders, parties, and groups are working day and night to bring down the Makinde government.
“Irrespective of parties, zones or religions, we believe that it is our responsibility to work with the decision of the masses. Oyo State people gave Makinde the mandate, so, we must all support him.
“We view the activities of these individuals in the opposition party within and outside the state as undemocratic and anti-people, as they are trying not only to sabotage the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde to restore the glory of the state but also take over the governorship seat through the back door.”
