2027: Appointees’ resignations will not weaken Makinde’s political influence, says ex-Osun APM candidate

A former governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun State, Wale Adebayo, has dismissed suggestions that the resignation of several political appointees from the Oyo State Government could undermine Governor Seyi Makinde’s political influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adebayo said the departure of government officials should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that Makinde’s political structure was weakening, arguing that individuals had the constitutional right to make political decisions based on their personal convictions and ambitions.

He made the remarks in a statement on Monday, November 9, 2026, while reacting to the recent resignations of some members of the Oyo State Government.

The latest departures include the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo; the Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Adegbola Oyeleke; and a member of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Sunday Falana.

Their resignations followed the earlier departure of Makinde’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, who left office in October after more than five years.

According to Adebayo, Makinde’s political relevance is rooted in his record in office, credibility, grassroots connections and relationship with the electorate, rather than the number of political appointees serving in his administration.

He pointed to Makinde’s victories in the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections as evidence of the governor’s political strength.

“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,” Adebayo said.

The recent exits have attracted attention as Makinde positions himself for a wider political role ahead of the 2027 elections.

Oyeleke, in his resignation letter, reportedly cited an uncomfortable working environment and said the circumstances had made it difficult for him to effectively pursue the aspirations of his people while serving in the administration.

Ojo and Falana, however, did not publicly give specific reasons for their decisions.

The departures have added to a growing list of officials who have left the Oyo State Government in recent months. However, the available explanations do not establish that all the resignations were connected to Makinde’s political ambition.

Adebayo’s position is that political appointments should not be treated as the sole measure of a politician’s influence or electoral strength.

Nevertheless, the growing number of departures could present a political and administrative challenge for the governor, particularly if the exits reflect wider disagreements within his political camp. Whether they have any significant effect on his electoral prospects will depend on the reasons behind the departures and the strength of the political structures that remain.

The former Osun governorship candidate also described the APM as an opportunity to build a broader political movement based on ideas, national inclusion and a different direction for Nigeria.

He acknowledged that building such a platform would involve negotiations, disagreements and political realignments, but stressed the need for a credible coalition capable of accommodating different interests without abandoning its objectives.

His comments come amid wider efforts by opposition politicians to explore a common political platform or candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

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

He argued that governors had a responsibility to engage with the Federal Government regardless of party affiliation, adding that acknowledging a presidential intervention or policy achievement did not necessarily amount to political endorsement.

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

Adebayo urged opposition politicians to prioritise unity, a clear political direction and a shared commitment to offering Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.

The bigger question, however, is whether Makinde’s political influence can withstand the ongoing movement of officials and political actors around his administration. While Adebayo maintains that the resignations do not diminish the governor’s standing, the political implications will ultimately be measured by the strength of his support base and the ability of his camp to maintain cohesion ahead of the elections.