Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has allegedly intensified secret meetings with members of his cabinet and key political stakeholders 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.
Ogbomoso Defections Trigger Alleged Secret Meetings
The alleged meetings followed a fresh wave of defections in the Ogbomoso Zone. The governor’s former Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, recently led 32 other APM chieftains into the APC.
The development has heightened attention on political realignments in Oyo State. Several people who served in Makinde’s administration have either resigned their appointments or moved into the opposition.
Ogunwuyi’s defection last Tuesday was followed by these: Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin (Agbeti), former Deputy Chief of Staff to the late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi; Hon. Alabi Olateju; Hon. Isaiah Adegbite; Hon. Peter Oyetunji; Hon. Jimoh Sikiru, APM chairman in Ogbomoso North
SSACO said other defectors 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 movement was formally announced at a defection rally in Ogbomoso, where APC leaders and supporters welcomed the former APM members.
Resignations Raise Questions About Makinde’s Political Structure
The latest defections came after a series of resignations by 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, resigned with immediate effect. Ojo gave no reason. Oyeleke reportedly cited an uncomfortable working environment and difficulty 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 without stating his reason. These exits followed Ogunwuyi’s October 12 resignation as Chief of Staff, an office he held for more than five years.
Other 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 (Alleluyah), both now aligned with the APC; Former political adviser Chief Babatunde Oduyoye; Former Special Adviser on Security Fatai Owoseni
What SSACO Says Happened at the Secret Meetings
SSACO alleged that Makinde has been consulting cabinet members, remaining loyalists and aggrieved stakeholders to prevent further defections. The secret meetings allegedly took place at the governor’s residences in Ikolaba and Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan.
The discussions, it claimed, centred on growing discontent in the Makinde camp and ways of retaining remaining members. The governor reportedly voiced concern about the number of defections and asked for suggestions on stopping further departures that could affect the party’s 2027 preparations.
Some attendees allegedly used the opportunity to voice dissatisfaction with the governor’s political decisions and certain administration policies, which they believe have generated negative publicity.
