The political crisis between Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and chieftain of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, has taken a new turn following the resignation of two local government appointees loyal to the politician.
The two appointees, Hon. Balogun Olatunji Smith, Assistant General Secretary of Ibadan North-East Local Government, and Chief Amb. Dr. Paul Ajagbe Olukunle Onirese, Supervisor for Health in Ogbomoso North Local Government, resigned from their respective positions in separate letters.
Smith cited medical and health-related reasons for his resignation, saying they required his attention and made it necessary for him to step away from his official responsibilities.
He also thanked the local government leadership for the opportunity to serve and acknowledged the support he received during his tenure.
In a separate letter dated September 2, 2026, Onirese resigned as Supervisor for Health in Ogbomoso North Local Government, under the administration of Hon. George Ogunlade Gbadegesin.
He did not disclose the specific reason for his decision, saying the circumstances surrounding it would be made public at the appropriate time, adding that his resignation would not affect his commitment to the development of Ogbomoso North.
The disagreement between Makinde and Olopoeyan has been linked to the dispute surrounding the APM’s August 3, 2026, local government and councillorship primaries.
Olopoeyan’s camp maintained that its candidates had emerged from the exercise, but the candidate list was reportedly rejected by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), leading to a court dispute involving 32 candidates.
The disagreement has exposed divisions between political camps linked to Olopoeyan and Makinde, with the dispute over the primaries becoming part of the wider tension between the former allies.
The latest developments also come after the resignation of former Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, and former Director-General of the Due Process Office, Tara Adefope, from their respective positions in the state government.
While Smith cited health-related reasons and Onirese withheld details behind his decision, their resignations add to the political developments surrounding Makinde’s strained relationship with Olopoeyan as Oyo State moves towards the 2027 elections.
