The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency, Engr Akeem Olatunji, has expressed confidence that no opposition coalition or last-minute political alliance can stop the party's victory in Oyo State. According to Olatunji, the people have made up their minds to sustain the development trajectory of Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde. He made this statement in reaction to the mass defection of members of the Boye Nation/JAF Movement from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the APM.
Olatunji described the mass defection as further evidence of a growing political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections. He noted that the election would ultimately be determined by the electorate and their assessment of governance, rather than political calculations among opposition parties. The APM candidate emphasized that the 2027 contest would be a battle between the people's interest in continuity of good governance and efforts by opposition forces to dislodge the ruling political structure through alliances.
Olatunji argued that while opposition parties were contemplating a last-minute coalition arrangement, the APM was focused on consolidating its structures and mobilising voters across the state. He alleged that the APC was planning a last-minute coalition pact as part of its strategy for the 2027 election but maintained that the electorate would not easily be persuaded by political rhetoric. According to Olatunji, voters who experienced the administration of the APC in Oyo State between 2011 and 2019 had also continued to contend with economic challenges under the party-led Federal Government.
The APM Reps candidate called on voters to remain vigilant ahead of the election, alleging that opposition political actors had activated their media machinery to circulate narratives capable of influencing public perception of the administration and its candidates. He urged the electorate to scrutinise political claims against the administration and compare them with the government's record in infrastructure, education, healthcare, workers' welfare, and other areas. Olatunji commended the electorate for their "unflinching support" and continued confidence in Makinde's leadership and the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi.
The mass defection of Boye Nation members to the APM is significant, as Sangogade, the leader of the group, has been publicly associated with Adelabu. However, Sangogade stated that his decision to join the APM was personal and not connected to any disagreement with his former principal. Olatunji predicted that the opposition's anticipated "biggest joker" would be a last-minute alliance, but expressed confidence that the APM was ready for them.
Olatunji further stated that the recent political developments had strengthened his confidence that the APM would remain a major force in the 2027 election, not only in Oyo State but at the national level, with Governor Makinde on the ballot as the party's presidential candidate. He made a prediction about the timing of the governorship result, saying: "Adekanmbi would have won the 2027 governorship election latest by 2 pm."
The development comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with the APM attracting politicians and supporters from different political platforms. Olatunji's confidence in the APM's victory is based on the party's performance in governance and the people's experience of the administration of Governor Makinde. The APM candidate emphasized that no amount of political blackmail, rhetoric, or attack against Makinde would confuse the masses anymore.
Key points
- The APM candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency, Engr Akeem Olatunji, is confident that no opposition coalition can stop the party's victory in Oyo State.
- Olatunji attributed the mass defection of members of the Boye Nation/JAF Movement from the APC to the APM as evidence of a growing political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The APM is focused on consolidating its structures and mobilising voters across the state, while opposition parties are contemplating a last-minute coalition arrangement.
