Barely a month after his exit from Governor Seyi Makinde’s cabinet, erstwhile Chief of Staff to the Oyo State governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, on Tuesday formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading 32 other chieftains of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) into the opposition party in Ogbomoso.
Ogunwuyi and the other defectors were received at a major defection rally held at Oja’Gbo, in front of Soun Ogunlola Hall in the Ogbomoso city centre, amid a large turnout of APC members and supporters.
Vehicular movement around the area was disrupted for more than three hours as party supporters and residents gathered to witness the formal entry of the politicians into the APC.
Among those who joined the APC alongside Ogunwuyi were Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi; Hon. Alabi Olateju; Dr Banji Folaranmi; Hon. Isaiah Adegbite; Hon. Peter Oyetunji; and the former APM Chairman in Ogbomoso North Local Government, Hon. Jimoh Sikiru.
Also involved in the defection were council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants attached to the chairmen of Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local governments.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ogunwuyi said they joined the APC to contribute to the development of the party and strengthen its political efforts in Ogbomoso.
He expressed confidence that the APC would perform strongly in Ogbomoso Zone during the 2027 general elections.
Recent political developments had already pointed to Ogunwuyi’s movement away from the Makinde administration.
He resigned as chief of staff on October 12, 2026, after more than five years in the position.
Ogunwuyi subsequently attended the unveiling of the APC governorship candidate Sharafadeen Alli’s manifesto in Ibadan on November 3, although his attendance at that event did not, at the time, amount to a formal declaration for the party.
At Tuesday’s rally, APC state chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, welcomed the defectors and assured them that they would have equal opportunities within the party.
He urged them to work for the success of APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
One of the defectors, Dr Banji Folaranmi, explained his decision to leave the APM, describing it as a “one-man party” and alleging that Governor Makinde was the only person effectively running the organisation.
APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also used the occasion to describe the APM structure as collapsing.
“For the likes of Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Alh. Rasak Agbeti and other politicians of substance to abandon Governor Makinde, it means a lot,” Alli said.
He appealed to those still within the APM to leave and join the APC.
Tuesday’s development adds a new dimension to the political realignment already unfolding in Ogbomoso and other parts of Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reports in recent weeks have documented resignations and defections involving political appointees and associates linked to the Makinde administration in parts of Ogbomoso Zone.
The latest defection is also significant because of Ogunwuyi’s previous political positions and his established presence in Ogbomoso politics.
Before becoming chief of staff, he served as Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency and represented Ogbomoso North/South and Oriire Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Prominent APC figures at the rally included Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Brimoh Yusuf, Chief Kemi Alao-Akala, 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, and his deputy, Hon. Sola Ogunbode.
Other candidates in attendance included APC running mate Hon. Adesoji Adedeji, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, Hon. Segun Odebunmi and Hon. Olamijuwon Alao-Akala.
