The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party claims that the state government is actively planning a systematic crackdown designed to cripple the electioneering campaigns of rival political parties and candidates across the state.

The friction stems from a recent public notice issued by the Oyo State government outlining strict new regulatory and financial guidelines for outdoor advertisements. Under these rules, candidates and political groups must fulfill steep financial obligations before deploying campaign materials like billboards and banners. The APC insists that these sudden policies are deliberately timed to act as an artificial barrier against opposition visibility.

In a sharply worded statement released on Saturday, Oyo APC Publicity Secretary Olawale Sadare alleged that the state government has covertly ordered the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) to restrict opposition access to key advertising spaces. According to Sadare, the administration`s goal is to create a media monopoly that ensures only candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) remain visible to the electorate.

The opposition party further accused the ruling administration of complicity in the ongoing destruction of its existing promotional materials. The APC claimed that its billboards, posters, and banners have been systematically defaced or torn down by state-aligned actors. They described the new OYSAA regulatory framework as a legalized extension of this ongoing hostility toward democratic expression.

Labeling the government`s recent directives as "draconian, selfish, and repressive," the APC declared that these measures represent a complete mockery of democracy and the rule of law. The party argued that using state machinery to stifle political competition undermines the foundational principles of a free election. They urged Governor Makinde and his agents to immediately desist from actions capable of plunging the state into political instability.

Despite the alleged administrative hurdles, the APC maintained that its campaign structures remain fully resilient. Sadare assured the public that no amount of financial or regulatory intimidation would prevent the party from delivering its "Renewed Hope Agenda" message to the grassroots. He emphasized that the party’s structures are fully prepared to navigate the state`s restrictions to reach voters directly.

Turning its focus to the broader performance of the current administration, the APC statement accused the Makinde government of using a section of the media to cover up alleged governance failures and atrocities committed since May 29, 2019. The party warned that state-sponsored public relations campaigns would no longer suffice to mislead the public, as local voters are becoming increasingly critical of the administration`s record.

Concluding the statement, Sadare expressed absolute confidence that the people of Oyo State would use the 2027 ballot box to reclaim their mandate from what he described as "power mongers and fake democrats." He noted that while propaganda might delay accountability, the truth would ultimately prevail at the polls. At the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government and OYSAA had not issued an official response to the specific allegations.