Until recently when Hosea Ayoola Agboola, entrepreneur, former commissioner and ex-senator, announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, he was a known ally of ‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State.
In the beginning, Makinde and Alleluyah, as the politician from Igbojaye town of Itesiwaju local government, is known, had nice time. Anywhere Makinde went, Alleluyah was there. Anything Alleluyah wanted, Makinde did, especially as it related to political appointments.
“They started very well. Since the former senator was introduced to Makinde, the relationship clicked. They went everywhere together and immediately government was formed, Alleluyah apart from being made chairman of the advisory council, nominated all council chairmen from the 10 Okeogun local government areas of the state. He enjoyed unfettered access to the governor.
“Trouble started when some leaders from the region especially started complaining about the one-sided treatment, saying that they are as useful to the governor as Alleluyah. The governor promised to amend his ways.
“In the buildup to the 2023 elections and when Makinde’s deputy, Raufu Olaniyan, an engineer and retired permanent secretary, was impeached in 2022 Makinde had summoned a meeting on who was to take the position. The governor personally considered Wasiu Musah, a former deputy speaker of the state assembly who was at the time chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Commission, Alleluyah had another person in mind. A former speaker and senator, Monsurat Sunmonu and Bayo Lawal, who eventually got the slot were in attendance. It was when the governor asked Alleluyah to make a nomination at the meeting that he got to know that he had another person in mind. Sunmonu, not wanting to waste opportunity, did not want the governor to take a nominee from Alleluyah. The governor, sensing the signs, asked Alleluyah to go home. The former female senator, who is the leader of the African Democratic Congress, bloc in the government, was not going to nominate Lawal. Lawal, when opportune at the meeting, said it would be a thing of joy for him if he could be made deputy. Makinde asked Alleluyah to meet his Okeogun people and present a nominee.
“Alleluyah later convened a meeting. Venue was the now demolished presidential lodge. It was at the meeting that Makinde was hinted about Alleluyah’s plan to nominate one Siju Lawal. Bayo Lawal later got it to the annoyance of Alleluyah.
”Governor Makinde managed him till the 2023 election. He was made to nominate all the National Assembly candidates from Oyo North— 4 Reps and a senatorial seats. All of them, except Oyesina Oyedeji, who now represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola federal constituency, lost to the APC candidates.
”The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the state PDP congress in which most of his people did not make it. Before then, only his native council was conceded to him in the last local government election. He got few vice-chairmanship and council secretaryship positions,” a source familiar with their relationship told OYOINSIGHT.COM.
His Exit Shocking, Ex-Senator Welcome Back To PDP Anytime — PDP
“Senator Hóṣéà Agboola is a respected politician and a man of high standing in our party. His defection came to us as a surprise because much that I know, he has no issues with the Party or its leadership at any level.
“He has attended recent NEC meetings of the Party and many of his followers are political office holders at various levels.
“It is important to note that while Senator Hosea Agboola is an adult that can freely associate with any political party of his choice, he has no established issues with the PDP in Oyo State.
“Anytime he wants to come back home to his party, we will gladly receive him,” Michael Ogunsina, public relations officer of the PDP said.
