2027: Appointees’ exit no threat to Makinde – Ex-Osun gov candidate

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Photo: Oyo State Government.

A former governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement in Osun State, Wale Adebayo, has said the resignation of some political appointees from the Oyo State Government does not signify the collapse of Governor Seyi Makinde’s political structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Adebayo said political movements and resignations should not be interpreted as evidence of a weakening political influence, noting that individuals had the constitutional right to make political choices based on their convictions and aspirations.

He said this in a statement on Monday while reacting to the recent political developments surrounding Makinde, particularly the resignation of some members of his cabinet.

The PUNCH reported in October that Makinde’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, resigned after more than five years in office.

In November. three other appointees: the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo; Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Adegbola Oyeleke; and a member of the state Independent Electoral Commission, Sunday Falana, resigned from the state cabinet.

According to Adebayo, the governor’s political relevance is built on his achievements, credibility, grassroots connections and relationship with the electorate, rather than the number of political appointees remaining in his government.

He noted that the governor demonstrated his political strength by defeating the then-ruling All Progressives Congress in Oyo State in 2019 and securing re-election in 2023.

“Governor Makinde has built his political relevance over time, and his achievements in Oyo State provide a foundation for his national engagement.

“His political journey has never been dependent solely on holding public appointments,” he said.

On the APM’s prospects as a national political platform, Adebayo described the party as an opportunity to build a broader political movement around ideas, national inclusion and a new direction for the country.

He, however, acknowledged that building such a platform would involve disagreements, negotiations and realignments, stressing the need for a credible coalition capable of accommodating diverse interests without losing its ideological direction.

Adebayo also cautioned against interpreting Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu as an indication of a political alliance or defection.

He argued that governors had a responsibility to engage with the Federal Government regardless of their political affiliations, adding that acknowledging presidential interventions or policy achievements did not automatically translate into political endorsement.

“Commending a presidential intervention or acknowledging a policy achievement does not automatically amount to political endorsement or defection. We should not create unnecessary contradictions where none may exist,” he said.

He further noted that the Bauchi State chapter of the APC had publicly dismissed reports of a political alliance with Mohammed.

The former governorship candidate urged members of the opposition movement to prioritise internal cohesion, clarity of purpose and a shared commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative, among others.