It was a political earthquake in Ogbomoso on Tuesday. Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, immediate past Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Seyi Makinde, led 32 other chieftains of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ogunwuyi Defects to APC at Packed Ogbomoso Rally
Vehicular movement stopped for more than three hours as APC members and supporters thronged the rally at Oja’Gbo, in front of Soun Ogunlola Hall in the city centre, to watch the politicians formally join the party.
Who Defected with Ogunwuyi
The chieftains who declared for the APC include: Alh. Rasak Gbadegesin (Agbeti), Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi, Hon. Alabi Olateju, Dr. Banji Folaranmi, Hon. Isaiah Adegbite, Hon. Peter Oyetunji, and Hon. Jimoh Sikiru, APM Chairman, Ogbomoso North Local Government
Also defecting were all council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants to the council chairmen in Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Areas.
Speaking for the defectors, Ogunwuyi said they joined the APC to add value, adding that the party would win convincingly in the Ogbomoso Zone.
APC state chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, welcomed them and assured them of equal opportunities. He urged them to work hard for the success of APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Dr. Folaranmi said he left the APM because it is a one-man party run solely by Governor Makinde.
Makinde APM Oyo Faces Fresh Challenge in Ogbomoso
The defection marks a realignment of political forces in the Ogbomoso Zone ahead of next year’s general election, with the odds tilting in favour of the APC in Oyo State. It is expected to strengthen the opposition party’s grassroots structure across the zone.
It also comes amid intensifying political activity and shifting allegiances as parties position themselves for the next governorship election.
The arrival of Ogunwuyi, Gbadegesin and other figures should give fresh momentum to the governorship ambition of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the APC candidate. It also poses a new challenge to the political influence of Governor Makinde and the APM in Ogbomoso and its environs.
APC Candidate Calls Makinde’s APM a “Collapsing Structure”
Senator Alli said the APM under Governor Makinde was a collapsing structure.
“For the likes of Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Alh. Rasak Agbeti and other politicians of substance to abandon Governor Makinde, it means a lot,” he said. “I use this medium to tell the few ones that are still there to leave now and join us in the APC.”
APC Leaders and Candidates at the Oyo 2027 Governorship Election Rally
Eminent APC leaders present included Sen. Ayoade Adeseun, Sen. Brimoh Yusuf, Chief Kemi Alao-Akala, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo, Chief Akin Oke, Alh. Bashiru Akataapa, Hon. Aderemi Adepoju, Hon. Abiodun Adeyemo (Obadoba) and members of the Oyo APC Executive Committee.
Also present were Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, Director General of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Council, and his deputy, Hon. Sola Ogunbode.
Candidates in attendance included Hon. Adesoji Adedeji, the deputy governor; Mrs Hannah Ogunesan; Hon. Segun Odebunmi; and Hon. Olamijuwon Alao-Akala.
