Hon. Joshua Olusola Afolabi, popularly known as AFOO, has offered an explanation for Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi’s decision to distance himself from the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), insisting that the former Oyo State Chief of Staff was neither consulted nor carried along before Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported political alignment with the party.
Afolabi, who recently resigned his appointment as a member of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), made the remarks on Tuesday during an interaction with OgbomosoInsightOnline.com, shortly after a meeting of loyalists of Hon. Ogunwuyi at Baptist Basic School, Ijeru Caretaker, Ogbomoso South Local Government Area.
Addressing a large gathering of political associates and supporters, Afolabi dismissed suggestions that Ogunwuyi’s political position amounted to a betrayal of Governor Makinde, arguing that the former Chief of Staff had not been adequately consulted before the decision to align with the APM.
According to him, Ogunwuyi had communicated his reservations about the party to the governor approximately two months before the eventual political development, suggesting that his decision to take a different political direction should not have come as a surprise.
In his account, Afolabi maintained that members of the political structure were simply informed of their new party affiliation without prior consultation or a collective decision-making process involving key political stakeholders.
Explaining his position, he said:
“What betrayal? My leader, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, never betrayed Governor Seyi Makinde. That is completely out of the question. He supported the governor wholeheartedly until the purported defection to the APM.
“Hon. Ogunwuyi was not carried along when the decision was being made. He was never consulted, and there was no roundtable meeting involving party leaders or the top hierarchy of the administration. We simply woke up one day and were told that we were now in APM. Who does that?
“None of us had an APM membership card, including the governor. That was a political path our leader, being an experienced politician, was unwilling to follow.
“I have no option but to move with our leader out of the APM because he is a reliable politician and a man of high integrity. He cares for his followers and ensures that they are appropriately carried along. You can see the number of supporters and political leaders who have moved with him, not only in Ogbomoso but across the state. The movement is significant.”
OGUNWUYI’S POLITICAL EXPERIENCE SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED – AFOO
Beyond the disagreement surrounding the APM, Afolabi also spoke about Ogunwuyi’s political experience, insisting that his contributions to politics predated Governor Makinde’s emergence in the political arena.
He argued that Ogunwuyi’s political career and experience should be considered when assessing his decisions and position within the state’s political landscape.
According to him, Ogunwuyi had already established himself in elective politics as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and subsequently as a member of the National Assembly at a time when Makinde was primarily known as an engineer.
Afolabi maintained that Ogunwuyi’s political experience and longstanding relationships within the political establishment informed his decision to stand firmly behind him.
He also declared his unwavering loyalty to Ogunwuyi, recalling his previous political engagements, including his emergence as the African Democratic Party (ADP) chairmanship candidate for Ogbomoso South in 2021 and his aspiration to represent the constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly in 2023, an ambition he said was later set aside in favour of Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, the current Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
AFOO EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN APC’S 2027 ELECTORAL PROSPECTS
On the political outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections, Afolabi expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the All Progressives Congress (APC), predicting that the party would secure victory in the forthcoming elections.
He argued that the ongoing political realignments were far from over, suggesting that more defections and political movements could occur before the elections.
Responding to suggestions that some of the political figures joining the APC might have limited electoral influence, he said:
“With the political developments on the ground, yes, of course, APC will win in 2027. Defections have not stopped; this is only the beginning. People are describing them as political paperweights. We will see.”
He further expressed optimism that Ogbomoso would support the APC at the polls, adding that the town stood to benefit from an APC-led government at both the federal and state levels.
“We will not regret voting for APC. Ogbomoso will benefit under an APC government, both at the federal and state levels,” he stated.
OGUNWUYI’S LOYALISTS REAFFIRM POLITICAL SOLIDARITY
Meanwhile, the meeting provided an opportunity for supporters and political associates of Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi to reaffirm their loyalty and commitment to his political leadership amid the unfolding political realignments.
Speaking at the gathering, former Chairman of Ogbomoso South West Local Council Development Area, Engr. Dr. Damilare Amusan, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, describing the gathering as an indication of the continued support and confidence reposed in Ogunwuyi by his political followers.
Amusan, who recently resigned as Chairman of the Governing Council of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, appreciated the attendees for maintaining their relationship with their political leader.
Similarly, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Executive Committee, Hon. Doja Agbejinmi, acknowledged Ogunwuyi’s contributions to her political development, noting the opportunities and support she had received through their political association.
Also speaking, Hon. Afolabi Olushola Joshua conveyed greetings from Ogunwuyi and urged the gathering to remain committed to the political structure they had built over the years.
He noted that some of the supporters had maintained their political association with Ogunwuyi for nearly two decades, describing such longstanding relationships as deserving of loyalty and commitment.
In his remarks, he urged them not to abandon a leader whose political guidance and support had contributed to their personal and political development.
“Let us not bite the fingers that feed us. Hon. Ogunwuyi remains our leader. He leads, we follow,” he said.
The meeting underscores the emerging political realignments within Oyo State as stakeholders begin to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Ogunwuyi’s next political moves likely to remain a subject of considerable interest within Ogbomoso and beyond.
