Makinde denies panic meetings over APM defections

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has denied holding panic meetings with members of his cabinet and key stakeholders over the defection of prominent members of the Allied Peoples’ Movement to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The denial followed reports that the governor had reached out to his remaining loyalists after the recent defection of several political figures, particularly from Ogbomoso Zone, to the APC.

A report sighted by The PUNCH on Thursday had stated that the latest defections had unsettled Makinde’s political camp, with sources claiming that the governor was concerned about the possible impact of the development on the APM’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.

Checks by our correspondent further revealed that the defectors had joined the APC, swelling the ranks of the opposition party in the state.

However, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, dismissed the report of panic meetings, describing it as an attempt by the APC to create a false impression of a crisis within Makinde’s political movement.

In a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, Olarenwaju said, “The latest desperate attempt by the APC propaganda machinery to manufacture a crisis around Governor Makinde’s political movement has exposed the opposition’s growing frustration with a governor whose popularity remains strong and whose record of performance continues to resonate across the state.

“The report alleging panic meetings, mass disaffection and a crumbling political structure is not only false; it is a calculated mix of distortions, half-truths and outright fabrications aimed at creating a crisis where none exists.”

The PUNCH reports that prominent politicians and local government representatives from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa recently defected to the APC.

They include former Chief of Staff to the governor, Segun Ogunwuyi; former Deputy Chief of Staff to the late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Timothy Oyeniyi; Alabi Olateju; Isaiah Adegbite; Peter Oyetunji; and Jimoh Sikiru, the APM chairman in Ogbomoso North.

Before the latest defections, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo, and the ministry’s Special Adviser, Simeon Oyeleke, resigned from their positions with effect from November 2, 2026.

While Ojo did not state a reason for his resignation, Oyeleke said he was uncomfortable with the working environment and that it had become difficult for him to represent the aspirations of his people while serving in the government.

Sunday Falana also resigned from the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve but giving no public reason for his decision.

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

Other political figures who have left the governor’s camp include former Senate Chief Whip and former Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Hosea Agboola, popularly known as Alleluyah; former Deputy Governor and Ambassador, Taofeek Arapaja; and Bisi Olopoeniyan.

Key strategists, including the governor’s former Political Adviser, Babatunde Oduyoye, and former Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, have also left their positions. Their departures were said by sources within the camp to have weakened the governor’s political and administrative structures.

The report circulated in Ibadan on Thursday alleged that Makinde, at one of the meetings, expressed concern about the growing defections and sought suggestions on how to retain remaining party members and prevent further departures.

The report said Makinde had called the meetings to know what could be done to curtail the mass defection, while those at the meeting reportedly traced recent developments to the choice of Adekanmbi as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2027 election.

But Olarenwaju maintained that Makinde’s leadership style was based on consultation and engagement, adding that the governor did not need to hold secret meetings to interact with members of his administration, party leaders and other stakeholders.

He said, “It is equally important to note that no political party in a democracy is immune to movements of individuals from one platform to another. Politics is dynamic, and people make choices based on personal ambitions, interests and convictions.

“The APC’s attempt to sensationalise routine political movements only exposes its desperation to create a false narrative of momentum where none exists.

“What APC propagandists deliberately failed to acknowledge is the fact that political movements are not one-directional.

“While a few individuals have chosen to pursue other political paths, many more leaders, stakeholders, professionals, youths and grassroots supporters continue to identify with and join the APM because they can see and feel the impact of Governor Makinde’s people-centred policies and developmental agenda.

“Indeed, for every individual who has chosen to leave the party or the administration, many more continue to identify with and join the APM across the state. The strength of a political movement is not measured by the noise surrounding isolated defections but by the confidence it continues to inspire among the people.

“By every reasonable measure, the Makinde political family remains vibrant, united and firmly connected to the aspirations of the people of the state.”

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He added that residents remained resolute in their support for Makinde and APM candidates, whose vision and record of performance, he said, continued to resonate across the state.

Olarenwaju also cited what he described as the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agribusiness, workers’ welfare, security and economic development.

He said, “Under Makinde’s leadership, workers’ salaries are paid promptly, pension obligations are being addressed, strategic road projects are being executed across all geopolitical zones, healthcare infrastructure is being strengthened, and investments continue to flow into Oyo.

“These are tangible achievements that the people can see and verify for themselves. They are not products of propaganda.”

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Troops kill one, arrest suspected terrorist father, son

Animasahun Salman, Sokoto

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have neutralised a suspected terrorist and arrested two others, identified as father and son, during separate operations in Katsina and Sokoto states.

The operations, conducted between November 10 and 11, also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, a motorcycle and other items.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Capt Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Sinivie said troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence, had, on November 10, intercepted armed terrorists allegedly planning to attack residents of Bada’u Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He said the troops subsequently established an ambush along the suspected terrorists’ route and engaged them in a gun battle.

“On contact, the troops engaged the terrorists, neutralising one,” the statement said.

Items recovered from the scene included an AK-47 rifle, one magazine, six rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones.

The military spokesman added that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation.

In a separate operation on November 11, troops of Sector 2 arrested two suspected terrorists during an intelligence-led operation at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to Sinivie, the suspects, identified as Muhammadu Ali and Umaru Ali, were discovered to be father and son and were allegedly affiliated with the Lakurawa terrorist group.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, identified as Muhammadu Ali and Umaru Ali, are father and son and are allegedly affiliated with the Lakurawa terrorist group,” he said.

The troops reportedly recovered another AK-47 rifle, one magazine, three rounds of ammunition and N9,760 from the suspects.

Sinivie said the suspects remained in custody for further investigation and prosecution.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to tackling terrorism and other criminal activities across the North-West.

“Operation Fansan Yamma remains resolute in its commitment to rid the Joint Operations Area of terrorists and safeguard the lives and property of citizens,” he said.

He urged residents to sustain their cooperation with security agencies by providing timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities in their communities.