Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has affirmed that all political parties have equal access to public facilities in the state for campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde assures of equal access to public facilities
This was as he assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be denied access to the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, for its presidential campaign rally.
The governor, however, added a caveat namely, that the political parties should meet up with the stipulated requirements for using any of the public facilities.
His position followed concerns raised over an alleged rejection of an application by the APC to use the historic Mapo Hall for its planned campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general election.
The development came following a report that the Ibadan Local Government Properties Company managing Mapo Hall declined the APC request, citing the prior booking of the proposed date by another applicant.
The governor reaffirmed in a release by his Special Adviser (Media), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, that his administration was committed to ensuring that political parties have equal access to government-owned facilities, irrespective of their affiliations.
He maintained that public assets belonged to the people of Oyo State and should be managed transparently, equitably and without partisan considerations.
According to Makinde, established procedures for accessing public facilities were intended to ensure their proper use, maintenance and the preservation of public order.
The governor added that any political party or organisation that fulfilled the stipulated conditions should not face discrimination or unjust restrictions in accessing such facilities.
Makinde also urged political actors to conduct their activities peacefully and responsibly, and called on the relevant authorities to handle applications for public facilities professionally and without bias.
The Oyo State Government reiterated its commitment to political tolerance, democratic freedoms and the right of legitimate political interests to operate within the framework of the law.
The governor’s intervention has brought renewed attention to the management of public facilities and the need to ensure that political parties can access them under established rules.
