2027: Defections Rock Makinde’s Camp As Governor Reportedly Opens Talks With Loyalists

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reportedly begun holding a series of closed-door meetings with members of his cabinet and key political stakeholders in the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in a bid to address the growing wave of defections and internal disagreements threatening the party’s political structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development comes amid the exit of several prominent political figures, particularly from Ogbomoso Zone of the state, with many of the defectors reportedly aligning with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The latest wave of defections has reportedly heightened concerns within Makinde’s political camp, especially as some influential politicians, former government appointees and grassroots mobilisers have either resigned their appointments or moved to the APC.

Among the prominent figures reported to have defected to the APC are the immediate past Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi; Hon. Alabi Olateju; Hon. Isaiah Adegbite; Hon. Peter Oyetunji; and Hon. Jimoh Sikiru, alongside the APM chairman in Ogbomoso North.

Several political figures and local government representatives from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa are also said to have joined the growing list of defectors.

The latest developments followed the resignation of the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, and the ministry’s Special Adviser, Simeon Adegbola Oyeleke, effective November 2.

While Ojo did not publicly disclose the reason for his resignation, Oyeleke reportedly cited dissatisfaction with the working environment, explaining that it had become increasingly difficult for him to represent the aspirations of his constituents while remaining in government.

Similarly, Sunday Olugbenga Falana resigned from the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve without publicly stating his reason for leaving.

The Director-General of the Due Process Office, Tara Adefope, also reportedly resigned from the administration.

Other prominent political figures who have left or distanced themselves from the governor’s political camp include the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Hosea Agboola, popularly known as Alleluyah; former Deputy Governor and former Nigerian Ambassador, Taofeek Arapaja; and Alhaji Bisi Olopoeniyan.

Agboola and Arapaja have since reportedly aligned with the APC.

The exit of key political strategists, including former Political Adviser to the governor, Chief Babatunde Oduyoye, and former Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, has also been described by political observers within the camp as a significant setback to the administration’s political machinery.

Worried about the implications of the developments for the APM’s prospects in the 2027 governorship election, Makinde, is said to have intensified consultations with members of his cabinet and remaining loyalists in an attempt to prevent further defections.

Sources familiar with the meetings disclosed that discussions involving the governor, aggrieved party leaders and other stakeholders had become increasingly frequent, with some taking place at his residences in Ikolaba and Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan.

According to one of the sources, the governor expressed concern over the growing number of defections and sought suggestions on how to address the situation and retain members of the party.

“The governor was visibly worried when those in attendance also said the last had not been heard of such defections. He wanted to know what could be done to curtail the mass defection.

“It was also an opportunity for those at the meetings to speak their minds on the causes of the crisis bedevilling the party, which they traced to the governor’s unilateral decision to pick Adekanmbi as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election,” the source said.

The source added that some participants also expressed concerns about certain government policies, which they believed had generated negative public reactions and contributed to growing dissatisfaction within the political camp.

The latest of such meetings reportedly lasted until the early hours of Thursday but ended without a clear-cut strategy to halt the wave of defections.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the unfolding developments have raised questions about the cohesion of the APM’s political structure and its ability to manage internal disagreements ahead of the governorship contest.