APM Crisis: Olopoeyan’s Loyalists In Lagelu, Ogbomoso Reaffirm 100% Loyalty, Accuse Makinde’s Camp Of Frustration

Hundreds of supporters loyal to chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, have reaffirmed their 100 per cent loyalty to him amid the ongoing political disagreement over support for candidates in Oyo State.

The supporters, who came from Lagelu Local Government Area and Ogbomoso, visited Olopoeyan at his residence to declare their continued allegiance following reports that some members previously associated with his camp had pledged support to Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi.

Addressing the supporters during the visit, Olopoeyan described those behind the declarations as frustrated, alleging that they had failed to attract members from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord and other political parties and had resorted to making claims about his loyalists.

“I was not surprised; they are frustrated. Don’t let them deceive you. They couldn’t attract members from APC, Accord and other parties, but they are shouting about my loyalists,” he said.

The APM chieftain advised his supporters to remain in their party and cautioned them against allowing politicians to jeopardise their future, particularly those who had worked hard to obtain their education and certificates.

He also questioned the selection of House of Representatives candidates in Lagelu, alleging a disconnect between the candidates and grassroots party members, with many of the selected candidates reportedly unknown to members in the local government.

Olopoeyan further accused the opposing camp of cheating party members and subsequently sidelining them, questioning whether such an approach was the right way to run a political party and govern.

In Ogbomoso, he dismissed what he described as “kangaroo activities” while reiterating his grassroots presence in the area.

The supporters who visited his residence also disputed claims that those who declared support for Makinde in Lagelu and Ogbomoso were members of Olopoeyan’s loyalist camp.

They maintained that most of the individuals involved belonged to the PDP alliance group and were not part of their group, insisting that they remained fully behind Olopoeyan as their political leader.

The development follows separate declarations of support for Makinde and Adekanmbi by groups of APM members in Lagelu and Ogbomoso. In Lagelu, some members said personal differences were no excuse for openly associating with another party, while the Ogbomoso group said its decision was driven by the desire to support candidates from the area.

In a similar development, videos circulating online appeared to show some of Olopoeyan’s supporters removing stickers bearing Makinde’s image from campaign vehicles, in an apparent expression of displeasure amid the dispute.

The latest show of loyalty highlights the divisions within the APM over political alignments and support for candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections in Oyo State.