Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has allegedly intensified consultations with members of his cabinet and key political stakeholders in an attempt to contain mass defections from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) made the allegation in a statement by its Director of Media, Bisi Oladele.
The reported meetings followed a fresh wave of defections involving prominent political figures in Ogbomoso Zone, including the governor’s former Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, who recently led 32 other APM chieftains into the APC.
The development has heightened attention on the political realignments taking place in Oyo State, particularly as some individuals who previously served in Makinde’s administration have either resigned their appointments or moved into the opposition party.
Ogunwuyi’s defection last Tuesday was followed by those of former Deputy Chief of Staff to the late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi; Hon. Alabi Olateju; Hon. Isaiah Adegbite; Hon. Peter Oyetunji; and Hon. Jimoh Sikiru, the APM chairman in Ogbomoso North.
Other defectors, SSACO stated, included council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants serving in Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local government areas.
The mass movement was formally announced at a defection rally in Ogbomoso, where APC leaders and party supporters welcomed the former APM members into their fold.
The latest defections came after a series of resignations by government officials and political appointees, raising further questions about the stability of Makinde’s political structure.
On November 2, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, and the ministry’s Special Adviser, Simeon Adegbola Oyeleke, had resigned their appointments with immediate effect.
While Ojo did not disclose any reason for his departure, Oyeleke reportedly cited an uncomfortable working environment and difficulties representing the aspirations of his people while serving in the administration.
Sunday Olugbenga Falana, a member of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), also resigned, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve without publicly stating his reason for leaving.
These departures followed the October 12 resignation of Ogunwuyi as Chief of Staff, an office he had occupied for more than five years.
Other political figures reported to have moved away from Makinde’s camp include former Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja and former Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Hosea Agboola, popularly known as Alleluyah, who have both since aligned with the APC.
Former political adviser to the governor, Chief Babatunde Oduyoye, and former Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, were also mentioned by SSACO to be among prominent figures who have left the governor’s political circle.
Amid the developments, the Senator Alli campaign organisation alleged that Makinde has been holding consultations with members of his cabinet, remaining loyalists and aggrieved political stakeholders in an effort to prevent further defections.
The meetings allegedly took place at the governor’s residences in Ikolaba and Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan.
Discussions at the meetings, it was further alleged, focused on the growing discontent within the Makinde political camp and possible ways of retaining remaining party members.
The governor, SSACO further alleged, expressed concern about the growing number of defections and sought suggestions on how to prevent further departures that could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Some in attendance at the reportedly used the meetings to express dissatisfaction with the governor’s political decisions and certain policies of his administration, which they believed have generated negative publicity.
