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) in Ogbomoso to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors were formally received on Tuesday at a rally held at Oja’Gbo, in front of Soun Ogunlola Hall, Ogbomoso, which attracted a large crowd of party faithful and supporters. Vehicular movement in the city centre was reportedly disrupted for over three hours.
Other prominent defectors included 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 Local Government, Hon. Jimoh Sikiru.
The defection also involved council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants to chairmen across 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 its growth and electoral success, expressing confidence that the party would win convincingly across Ogbomoso Zone in 2027.
Welcoming them, the APC Chairman in Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, assured the new members of equal opportunities and urged them to work for victory of the party in the forthcoming elections.
Explaining his decision, Dr. Banji Folaranmi described APM as a one-man political organisation, alleging that Governor Makinde was solely running its affairs.
Also speaking, APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, described APM as a collapsing structure, saying the exit of prominent politicians showed its dwindling influence.
“For people like Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Alhaji Rasak Agbeti and other politicians of substance to abandon Governor Makinde, it means a lot. I use this medium to tell the few ones still there to leave now and join us in the APC,” Alli said.
He expressed confidence that the development would strengthen the party’s chances in Ogbomoso and across Oyo State.
The defection is expected to reshape political calculations in Ogbomoso Zone as parties intensify grassroots consolidation ahead of 2027, and represents a potential challenge to the influence of Governor Makinde and the APM in the area.
Among APC leaders at the rally were 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; and Alhaji Bashiru Akataapa.
Others included Hon. Aderemi Adepoju, Hon. Abiodun Adeyemo, popularly known as Obadoba, and members of the Oyo State APC Executive Committee.
Also present were the Director-General of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Council, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and his deputy, Hon. Sola Ogunbode, as well as the deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, Hon. Segun Odebunmi and Hon. Olamijuwon Alao-Akala.
