Makinde Not From Ajia, Lacks People Management Skills — Former Ally, Abass Oloko

A former political associate of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Abass Oloko, has claimed that the governor is not originally from Ajia community, while accusing him of lacking the ability to manage political relationships.

Oloko, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain who has now joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks during an interview with Ajibola Akinyefa, where he spoke about his relationship with Makinde, the governor’s political leadership and the 2027 governorship election.

Oloko, who said his mother was from Ajia, explained that Makinde grew up in the community, where his family reportedly rented an apartment around the Bebekun Ebe axis.

He, however, maintained that the governor’s family was not originally from Ajia, noting that they lived in Agboluaje compound at Isale Aje.

“Ajia compound is at Isale Aje. They lived in Agboluaje compound. They are not from Ajia; they are the only ones who can say where they come from,” he said.

The former ally said he once loved and supported Makinde but believed there was a need to speak the truth about the governor’s handling of people who contributed to his political success.

He accused Makinde of neglecting political associates and failing to manage relationships with party leaders, alleging that several prominent figures who worked with the governor had either resigned from their positions or moved away from his political camp.

“The governor doesn’t know how to manage people. The number five principal in Oyo, the Chief of Staff, has left. Commissioners and several other people have also left. Are all those people bad?” he asked.

Oloko said he resigned from Makinde’s political camp and refused to follow him to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) because of what he described as an exclusionary approach to political appointments and decision-making.

He alleged that when Makinde was selecting his preferred governorship candidate, he invited some individuals without established political constituencies while excluding influential party leaders.

He specifically mentioned former minister and PDP chieftain, Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Bose Adedibu and former Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja as prominent figures who, according to him, were absent from the meeting where the decision was taken.

Oloko also questioned Makinde’s political confrontation with President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the President’s political decisions had contributed to the governor’s emergence for a second term.

He claimed that the political structure in Oyo State was largely controlled by the APC, which he said had three senators and nine members of the House of Representatives.

On his personal disagreement with Makinde, Oloko said the governor had visited his residence to seek his support, dismissing suggestions that a vehicle given to him was responsible for their fallout.

He said he was willing to return the vehicle if requested, adding that he had other cars.

The former PDP chieftain also recalled his involvement in the formation of a group known as Authentic Mogaji of Ibadanland, which he said was established to challenge aspects of the traditional kingship restructuring carried out under former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

According to him, Makinde had contacted him and other Mogajis and provided financial support for them to pursue the legal action.

Oloko further alleged that businessman and Ibadan socialite, Chief Dotun Sanusi, initially supported Tinubu and wanted to back the APC governorship candidate before the President asked him to support Makinde.

He said Sanusi subsequently mobilised Mogajis and traditional chiefs to support Makinde after the governor promised to rebuild roads in Ona Ara and provide transformers.

Oloko alleged that Makinde failed to fulfil the promises, prompting Sanusi to undertake some road reconstruction himself. He claimed that the governor later announced plans to dualise the road, leading to the demolition of the section Sanusi had worked on.

He said the disagreement contributed to the breakdown of the relationship between both men, adding that Sanusi had since aligned with Tinubu and the APC.

Oloko also mentioned former Makinde political associate, Adebisi Olopoeyan, alleging that he was not adequately appreciated or compensated for his contributions to the governor’s political journey.

Speaking about his appointment as vice chairman of the Oyo State Tourism Board, Oloko said he was dissatisfied with the position, which he considered below his political standing and experience.

He said he communicated his displeasure to the governor but received no response that addressed his concerns.

On the 2027 governorship race, Oloko described Senator Sharafadeen Alli as an experienced politician who had undergone the necessary political training.

He also praised Alli’s running mate, Soji Adedeji, describing him as an ideal young person for governance.

Oloko recalled the political agreement involving Alli, Bayo Lawal, Femi Lanlehin, Makinde and the Olubadan (then Asipa of Ibadanland) Adewolu Ladoja ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

According to him, Ladoja asked the contenders who among them had the financial capacity to fund the election, and Makinde emerged as the consensus candidate after others indicated they could not provide the required resources.

He also criticised Makinde’s warning to traditional rulers against involvement in partisan politics, arguing that monarchs could not be completely separated from political developments.

Oloko said he personally introduced Makinde to the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, before he became governor, adding that traditional rulers had historically played roles in political affairs.

He argued that objections to monarchs’ political involvement often arose when politicians could not secure their support.

On media personality Oriyomi Hamzat’s political ambition, Oloko described him as a good person but advised him to understand the difference between media influence and party politics.

He said Hamzat should work with established party leaders rather than sideline them.

Oloko also dismissed the possibility of reconciliation with Makinde, claiming that the governor did not reach out to aggrieved former associates or show concern about their departures.

He further alleged that one of the governor’s appointees had sought financial assistance for film production but received no support from Makinde, while Sanusi reportedly provided the assistance.