… Reveals How Sanusi Saved Iyakuegbe When Makinde Let Her Down as an Appointee
The recent resignation of some political appointees from Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has renewed attention on the welfare, working conditions and relationship between the governor and members of his cabinet, with an influential Ibadan chief, Mogaji Abass Oloko, revisiting his earlier criticism of the administration.
In a public statement on Friday, Abass, a respected Ibadan chief and influential politician in Oyo State, said the growing number of departures had vindicated his earlier position that many appointees in Makinde’s administration were financially half-alive and unhappy with several of the governor’s actions, particularly what he described as his leadership style and attitude towards those working with him.
Reacting to the development, Abass maintained that occupying a political position in government did not necessarily translate into financial comfort or satisfaction, alleging that some appointees were struggling despite their positions and responsibilities.
He said, “I have been vindicated by what is happening today. I said it before that many of the people serving in Governor Makinde’s administration are financially half-alive. Being a political appointee does not automatically mean that the person is comfortable or satisfied with the system.”
Abass further alleged that some appointees had become unhappy with the governor’s approach to governance, particularly what he described as a leadership style that leaves little room for consultation, mutual respect and consideration of the contributions of other political stakeholders.
According to him, “Some of these people are not happy with most of the governor’s actions. The way he behaves as if he is a god, with the impression that everything must revolve around him, is something that has continued to generate dissatisfaction among some of those working with him.”
Citing the experience of Omolara Adebayo, popularly known as Iya Kuegbe, who recently resigned as Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture 1, Abass said all her efforts to secure assistance from the APM-led Oyo State Government towards producing her movie ended in futility, alleging that the same administration that was expected to support her creative ambition eventually became an obstacle to her progress.
He said Iya Kuegbe only made progress with the movie project after receiving assistance from an APC chieftain, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, the Okanlomo Odua and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Sanusi’s intervention, according to Abass, provided the support she had been unable to secure from the state government despite her position as a political appointee in the administration.
Abass also threw his weight behind the position expressed by the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dahud Makanjuola Akinola, on the 2027 Oyo State governorship arrangement, urging the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to respect what he described as an understanding reached with Muslim leaders ahead of the 2023 governorship election.
The Islamic leader had endorsed the 2027 governorship ambition of Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, describing him as his preferred All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
Akinola premised his position on an alleged understanding between CAN leadership and Muslim leaders in Oyo State, which reportedly supported Governor Makinde’s second-term ambition in 2023, with the expectation that a popular Muslim candidate would emerge as the next governor in 2027.
Supporting the position, Abass maintained that CAN had appealed to Muslim leaders in 2023 to support Makinde’s re-election for a second term, with the understanding that a Muslim would be given the opportunity to govern Oyo State thereafter.
He consequently called on the Christian body to respect the reported agreement and allow the arrangement to guide political discussions ahead of the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, Abass’s comments come amid a series of resignations involving senior officials and political appointees in the Oyo State Government.
Among the latest departures are the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, and the Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Simeon Adegbola Oyeleke, who both resigned their appointments on November 2, 2026.
Iya Kuegbe also resigned her appointment in a letter dated November 2.
Other notable departures include former Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Director-General of the Oyo State Due Process Office, Tara Adefope; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Coordination, Kabiru Salami; and Sunday Olugbenga Falana, a member of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, who also resigned on November 2, among other Appointees from the Ogbomoso Zone.
