A political commentator and public affairs analyst, Sola Abegunde, has criticised Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, over his reported presidential ambition and recent political alignment with the Allied People’s Movement (APM), describing the development as the beginning of the governor’s “political oblivion.”
In a strongly worded statement following Makinde’s political rally at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan on Thursday, Abegunde alleged that the governor organised the gathering to formally signal his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the APM.
Abegunde claimed that Makinde’s political troubles began after his prolonged battle with former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, the Oyo governor suffered a major setback following a Supreme Court judgment which, he argued, effectively weakened Makinde’s influence within the PDP.
The commentator accused Makinde and his loyalists of attempting to create alternative narratives after the judgment by insisting that both factions in the PDP lost at the apex court.
He further alleged that the governor’s subsequent political activities, including moves to establish a caretaker arrangement within the PDP and his eventual alignment with the APM, were efforts aimed at managing the political fallout from the internal crisis within the opposition party.
Abegunde questioned Makinde’s continued association with the PDP while simultaneously promoting activities under the APM, arguing that the governor’s actions had created confusion about his true political position.
He also criticised the governor’s endorsement of former Commissioner and ex-Deputy Chief of Staff, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
According to Abegunde, the endorsement amounted to a lack of confidence in members of Makinde’s cabinet who had served with him for nearly eight years.
He argued that if the governor truly believed in the competence of his appointees, one of them should naturally have emerged as his preferred successor.
The political analyst also took a swipe at the rally held at Mapo Hall, describing it as a “jamboree” and an unnecessary expenditure of public resources at a time when residents expected more governance-focused initiatives.
He alleged that billions of naira had previously been spent on a PDP national convention in the state which, according to him, ended inconclusively.
Abegunde further dismissed Makinde’s coalition narrative between the PDP and the APM, insisting that the governor had effectively defected from the PDP after losing political influence within the party.
He argued that the PDP remained under the control of Wike and questioned the legality and practicality of any coalition arrangement involving both parties.
The commentator also faulted Makinde’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly claims that the APC was attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
According to him, the existence of multiple political parties, including the PDP and APM, contradicts such assertions.
Abegunde additionally alleged that the Makinde administration was under investigation by anti-corruption agencies, although he provided no details of the alleged probes.
He said Nigerians would be interested in hearing how the governor intends to address national challenges if elected president in 2027.
The analyst concluded by stating that he would continue to scrutinise the governor’s administration and political decisions in the months ahead, particularly issues surrounding local government autonomy, public spending and governance in Oyo State.