Why Ogunwuyi Resigned As Makinde’s Chief Of Staff

The immediate past Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, reportedly resigned his appointment after feeling sidelined over an alleged succession arrangement that would have seen him emerge as the governor’s preferred successor in 2027.

A reliable source who confided in Western Post said Ogunwuyi was disappointed after Makinde allegedly shifted his support to former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, instead of backing him to succeed the governor.

According to the source, Ogunwuyi had believed that an understanding existed between him and Makinde regarding the succession, particularly because he hails from Ogbomoso. The alleged arrangement was said to have raised his expectation of receiving the governor’s backing when the time came to choose a successor.

The source suggested that Makinde’s reported preference for Adekanmbi contributed to Ogunwuyi’s decision to leave the administration.

However, the alleged agreement and its connection to the resignation have not been independently confirmed.

Ogunwuyi announced his resignation in a letter dated October 12, 2026, stating that his departure took effect immediately. He did not disclose the reason for his decision or make any reference to a disagreement with the governor over the succession question.

“I respectfully write to resign my appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, with effect from today, 12th October, 2026,” he stated.

In the letter, Ogunwuyi thanked Makinde for the opportunity to serve, describing his time in the administration as an honour. He also expressed pride in the government’s achievements and confidence in the continued development of Oyo State.

The alleged disagreement comes amid political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 governorship election, as attention increasingly turns to who will succeed Makinde when his tenure ends.

Adekanmbi, a former commissioner for finance under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has emerged as a key figure in the succession discussion. Makinde has publicly spoken about his preference for Adekanmbi, citing his experience, intellectual capacity and professional accomplishments.

Adekanmbi was adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in May 2026, placing him among the prominent contenders in the unfolding contest to succeed Makinde.

The governor’s reported support for Adekanmbi appears to have altered the political calculations of some individuals interested in the succession process.

However, there is no public confirmation that Makinde had previously promised Ogunwuyi his backing.

Ogunwuyi was appointed Chief of Staff to Makinde in July 2021. Before then, he served as Executive Assistant on Investment and later as Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA).

He also has legislative experience, having served in the Oyo State House of Assembly before representing Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

His resignation ends his tenure as one of the influential officials in Makinde’s administration.

The position placed him close to the governor and at the centre of administrative coordination within the government.

His departure also comes amid reports of other political appointees leaving the administration in recent months, although Ogunwuyi did not link his decision to those developments.

The circumstances surrounding Ogunwuyi’s resignation have drawn attention to the emerging alignments and competing interests within Oyo State politics ahead of the next general elections.

While the source who spoke to Western Post attributed the resignation to Ogunwuyi’s alleged disappointment over the succession issue, the former Chief of Staff has not publicly explained his decision.

Makinde has also not publicly confirmed the alleged agreement described by the source.

Source: Western Post