AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The immediate past Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, has led 32 other chieftains of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogbomoso.
The event, on Tuesday at Oja’Gbo, in front of Soun Ogunlola Hall, attracted a large crowd of APC leaders, members and supporters, bringing vehicular movement in the area to a standstill for over three hours.
Other defectors include Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi; Hon. Alabi Olateju; Dr. Banji Folaranmi; Hon. Isaiah Adegbite; Hon. Peter Oyetunji and the APM Chairman in Ogbomoso North, Hon. Jimoh Sikiru.
Also among them were council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local government areas.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ogunwuyi said they joined the APC to contribute to the growth of the party, expressing confidence that it would record a convincing victory in Ogbomoso Zone in the 2027 general elections.
Welcoming the defectors, the Oyo APC Chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, assured them of equal opportunities within the party and urged them to work towards the success of its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Also speaking, Dr. Banji Folaranmi explained that he left the APM because, according to him, the party was being run as a one-man organisation, with Governor Makinde calling the shots.
The APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, described the development as evidence of the declining influence of the APM in Oyo State, urging other members still in the party to join the APC.
He said the defection of politicians of Ogunwuyi and Gbadegesin’s standing was significant and would strengthen the APC’s chances in the state.
The defection is seen as a major political realignment in Ogbomoso ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the APC expressing optimism that the entry of the new members would boost its grassroots support and strengthen Senator Alli’s governorship ambition.
Prominent APC figures at the rally included former senators Ayoade Adeseun and Brimoh Yusuf; Chief Kemi Alao-Akala; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo; Chief Akin Oke; Alhaji Bashiru Akataapa; Hon. Aderemi Adepoju and Hon. Abiodun Adeyemo, popularly known as Obadoba.
Also present were the Director-General of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Council, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, his deputy, Hon. Sola Ogunbode, and other APC leaders and executive members.
Political candidates at the event included the deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji; Mrs Hannah Ogunesan; Hon. Segun Odebunmi and Hon. Olamijuwon Alao-Akala.
