Breaking: Makinde reverses Mapo Hall rejection, clears venue for Tinubu’s rally

The venue’s management initially rejected the party’s request, citing a prior booking, but the Oyo governor subsequently directed that the grounds be made available for the November 21 rally.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the release of Mapo Hall in Ibadan to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for President Bola Tinubu’s planned presidential campaign rally on November 21, following an earlier rejection of the party’s request to use the venue.

The initial refusal was communicated by the Ibadan Local Governments Properties Company, which manages the facility, on the grounds that the proposed date had already been booked by another applicant.

However, Makinde subsequently directed the company to make the premises available to the APC and provide a suitable alternative venue for the applicant who had earlier secured the booking, according to reports on Tuesday.

The development followed concerns over the proposed use of the historic venue for the APC’s campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In the letter rejecting the APC’s request, the company acknowledged receiving the party’s application dated October 20, 2026, but said the requested date was unavailable because another applicant had booked the venue earlier.

The initial decision prompted questions about access to public facilities for political activities. However, Makinde said political parties should not be denied access to government-owned facilities if they satisfy the established requirements for their use.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor said public assets belonged to the people of Oyo State and should be administered transparently and fairly, without partisan considerations.

He also stressed that access to government-owned facilities was subject to established procedures intended to ensure proper use, maintenance and public order.

Tinubu is expected to visit Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on November 21 for the APC rally, which is part of the party’s activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. The planned event is expected to attract party leaders, supporters and political stakeholders from across the South-West.

The latest development means the initial refusal over the booking date has been followed by a directive to accommodate the APC, while relocating the earlier applicant.

The governor urged political actors to conduct their activities peacefully and responsibly, reiterating his administration’s commitment to political tolerance and equal access to public facilities under established rules.