Alleged N300bn loan: Oyo APC rally round lawmaker, storm Ibadan streets in protest

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Monday staged a large protest in Ibadan, accusing Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of plunging the state into “perpetual debt” through the controversial approval of a N300 billion loan.

Led by the State Chairman, Alhaji Olayide Abas, the demonstrators set out from the party’s secretariat in Oke Ado and marched through Dugbe and Mokola. They chanted solidarity songs and demanded protection for Hon. Ibraheem Shittu (APC–Saki West), who had earlier raised concern at the Oyo State House of Assembly over the loan facility granted to the governor.

Since making his position known two weeks ago, Shittu has reportedly received several threatening messages.

“We are here to tell the governor not to send Oyo into perpetual debt. What happened to earlier loans?” Abas asked while addressing journalists during the rally.

He praised Shittu for showing courage in opposing what the party described as reckless borrowing, warning that the APC would not remain passive while one of its members is allegedly harassed.

“I have the protest letter here. He should not be victimised,” Abas said, holding up the document.

He stressed that the rally was not only a defence of Shittu but also a declaration of the party’s readiness to reclaim power in the state.

“The process to take over Oyo has started,” Abas declared.

Security agencies, including the police, monitored the protest to ensure it was not hijacked by miscreants.