Veteran broadcaster and prominent political associate of Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Olalomi Amole, popularly known as Aare Mekunnu, has defected from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amole, who was formerly identified with Governor Makinde’s political camp, has declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The veteran broadcaster’s defection was confirmed following his meeting on Friday with the APC candidate for Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency, Hon. Akin Alabi.
Alabi disclosed the development in a Facebook post, expressing satisfaction with the meeting and welcoming Amole’s decision to align with the APC ahead of the forthcoming elections.
In his words:
“I had a fruitful meeting with veteran broadcaster and prominent stalwart of the APM, Alhaji Olalomi Amole (Aare Mekunnu). He is now 100% for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President, Sen Sharafadeen Alli for Governor and all APC Candidates.”
Amole’s defection is coming amid a series of political realignments in Oyo State, with several prominent members of the Allied Peoples Movement, including former political associates and appointees of Governor Makinde, abandoning the party for the APC.
One of the significant developments occurred on October 2, 2026, when over 1,000 APM members in Oluyole Local Government Area, led by Hon. Mustapha Kazeem, popularly known as Oba Oluyole, defected to the APC.
The defectors were formally received by the Oyo State APC leadership at the party’s secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Their leader reportedly cited dissatisfaction with the treatment of some party members and their political experiences under the Makinde administration as reasons for the decision.
The movement gathered further momentum on October 27, when more than 200 former councillors elected on the APM platform between 2021 and 2024 also joined the APC.
The group, led by Hon. Muili Kazeem Arowodana, was received by the APC leadership in Ibadan. Speaking on behalf of the former councillors, Arowodana alleged that they had experienced exclusion, inadequate remuneration and other challenges during their time in office under the Makinde administration.
Another major political development occurred on November 10, when the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, led 32 other APM chieftains into the APC in Ogbomoso.
Among the prominent personalities who joined Ogunwuyi were Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Hon. Timothy Oyeniyi; Hon. Alabi Olateju; Dr. Banji Folaranmi; Hon. Isaiah Adegbite; Hon. Peter Oyetunji and Hon. Jimoh Sikiru, the APM chairman in Ogbomoso North Local Government.
The defection also involved several local government political functionaries, including council secretaries, chiefs of staff, supervisory councillors and special assistants from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa local government areas.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ogunwuyi said they joined the APC to contribute to the growth of the party and strengthen its political structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
These successive defections have become a notable feature of the emerging political landscape in Oyo State as the APC intensifies its efforts to expand its membership and grassroots structures ahead of the next electoral contest.
Amole’s entry into the APC adds another prominent name to the growing list of individuals who previously identified with the Makinde-led political movement but have now declared their support for the opposition party.
The development is also significant in view of Amole’s profile as a veteran broadcaster and his longstanding political association with the governor.
Meanwhile, the APC leadership in Oyo State has continued to receive defectors from different political backgrounds, with its governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and other party leaders participating in several reception ceremonies across the state.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, the movement of prominent political figures and grassroots structures across party lines is expected to remain a major feature of the political contest in Oyo State.
