Oyo Political Crisis: Makinde Breaks Silence as Former Aides, Political Allies Dump APM for APC

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed reports that he convened emergency meetings with cabinet members and political associates following the defection of prominent members of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor, through his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, described the reports as false, accusing the opposition APC of attempting to create the impression of a political crisis within his camp ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The denial comes amid a wave of defections involving former government officials, political stakeholders and grassroots leaders who previously belonged to Makinde’s political structure.

The latest departures have particularly affected Ogbomoso Zone, where several politicians from different local government areas have announced their decision to join the APC.

However, Makinde’s media aide insisted that the governor was not unsettled by the developments and had not organised any emergency meeting to address the defections.

In a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, Olarenwaju accused the APC of exploiting the political movements to promote what he described as a misleading narrative about the strength of Makinde’s political structure.

He said:

“The latest desperate attempt by the APC propaganda machinery to manufacture a crisis around Governor Makinde’s political movement has exposed the opposition’s growing frustration with a governor whose popularity remains strong and whose record of performance continues to resonate across the state.

“The report alleging panic meetings, mass disaffection and a crumbling political structure is not only false; it is a calculated mix of distortions, half-truths and outright fabrications aimed at creating a crisis where none exists.”

List Of Prominent Politicians Who Defected To APC

Among those who recently joined the APC are Segun Ogunwuyi, a former Chief of Staff to Makinde; Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Timothy Oyeniyi; Alabi Olateju; Isaiah Adegbite; and Peter Oyetunji.

Jimoh Sikiru, a former APM chairman in Ogbomoso North, was also listed among the defectors.

The politicians reportedly came from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Areas.

More Officials Exit Makinde’s Administration

Beyond the political defections, Makinde’s administration has also witnessed the departure of several government officials.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo, and the ministry’s Special Adviser, Simeon Oyeleke, resigned from their positions with effect from November 2, 2026.

While Ojo did not publicly disclose the reason for his resignation, Oyeleke reportedly attributed his departure to dissatisfaction with the working environment.

He said the circumstances surrounding his position had made it difficult for him to adequately represent the interests and aspirations of his people while remaining in government.

Sunday Falana also resigned from the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve without disclosing the reason for his decision.

Another notable departure was that of Tara Adefope, Director-General of the Due Process Office, who also resigned from the administration.

Other political figures reported to have separated from Makinde’s camp include former Senate Chief Whip and former Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Hosea Agboola, popularly known as Alleluyah.

Former Deputy Governor and Ambassador, Taofeek Arapaja; Bisi Olopoeniyan; Babatunde Oduyoye, a former  Political Adviser to Makinde; and Fatai Owoseni, a former Special Adviser on Security, have also been mentioned among those who left the governor’s political circle.

Disagreement Over APM Governorship Ticket

Reports surrounding the defections have also linked the growing dissatisfaction among some political stakeholders to disagreements over the emergence of Adekanmbi as the APM governorship candidate.

The reports suggested that concerns over the party’s leadership and candidate selection could trigger further defections ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

However, Olarenwaju maintained that Makinde operated an open-door administration and regularly consulted political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders.

He argued that such engagements were part of the governor’s leadership style and should not be interpreted as emergency meetings triggered by the recent defections.

The media aide also rejected suggestions that the departure of some politicians represented the collapse of the APM’s political structure.

He said:

“It is equally important to note that no political party in a democracy is immune to movements of individuals from one platform to another. Politics is dynamic, and people make choices based on personal ambitions, interests and convictions.

“The APC’s attempt to sensationalise routine political movements only exposes its desperation to create a false narrative of momentum where none exists.

“What APC propagandists deliberately failed to acknowledge is the fact that political movements are not one-directional.

“While a few individuals have chosen to pursue other political paths, many more leaders, stakeholders, professionals, youths and grassroots supporters continue to identify with and join the APM because they can see and feel the impact of Governor Makinde’s people-centred policies and developmental agenda.

“Indeed, for every individual who has chosen to leave the party or the administration, many more continue to identify with and join the APM across the state. The strength of a political movement is not measured by the noise surrounding isolated defections but by the confidence it continues to inspire among the people.

“By every reasonable measure, the Makinde political family remains vibrant, united and firmly connected to the aspirations of the people of the state.”

Makinde’s Aide Defends Government’s Performance

Olarenwaju further maintained that residents across Oyo State remained supportive of Makinde and candidates contesting under the APM platform.

He attributed the administration’s continued political support to its policies and projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agribusiness, workers’ welfare, security and economic development.

According to him, the government had continued to execute projects and implement policies aimed at improving the living conditions of residents.

He added:

“Under Makinde’s leadership, workers’ salaries are paid promptly, pension obligations are being addressed, strategic road projects are being executed across all geopolitical zones, healthcare infrastructure is being strengthened, and investments continue to flow into Oyo.

“These are tangible achievements that the people can see and verify for themselves. They are not products of propaganda.”

Meanwhile, Makinde has yet to personally issue a detailed public response to the individual defections and resignations mentioned in the reports.