Politics in Oyo State has taken another dramatic turn following a bold declaration by the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, who claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has effectively become synonymous with Governor Seyi Makinde and that its political structure has now shifted to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Speaking during a live appearance on Gbangba Oselu with broadcaster Oyetayo Oladimeji, Olatunji made the explosive statement:
> “There is no PDP. Seyi Makinde is the PDP, and we’ve emptied all the structure to APM.”
The remark has immediately generated widespread debate across Oyo State's political landscape, with many interpreting it as one of the clearest indications yet of the realignment currently taking place ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olatunji's comments come amid months of political developments surrounding Governor Seyi Makinde's decision to work through an alliance involving the APM. In May 2026, Makinde formally announced a political alliance between his faction of the PDP and the APM during a major rally in Ibadan, describing it as a movement designed to provide a platform for candidates across all elective positions. At the same event, he also declared his intention to contest Nigeria's 2027 presidential election under the alliance.
The governor had argued that the alliance was necessary to strengthen opposition politics and provide what he called a "reset" for Nigeria's democratic process.
Engr. Olatunji's latest assertion appears to reinforce the belief among Makinde's loyalists that the governor's political machinery—not merely individual supporters but the grassroots structures that have powered successive electoral victories in Oyo State—has effectively migrated to the APM.
If that claim accurately reflects the current political reality, it could significantly reshape the balance of power in Oyo State ahead of the next election cycle.
However, the political situation remains far from settled.
While Makinde's camp has continued to promote the PDP-APM alliance, other factions of the PDP have publicly distanced themselves from the arrangement. National figures aligned with rival PDP leadership have insisted that the party did not officially approve any alliance with the APM, describing the move as unauthorised.
These conflicting positions have fuelled uncertainty over the future of the PDP as a united political platform, both in Oyo State and nationally.
For political observers, Olatunji's declaration goes beyond mere rhetoric. It reflects the growing perception that Governor Makinde's personal political influence has become the dominant force within the state's opposition movement. His supporters argue that the governor's popularity and political network outweigh traditional party labels, while critics contend that institutional party structures remain important regardless of individual influence.
Whatever the interpretation, the statement has reignited discussions about political loyalty, grassroots mobilisation, and the future of opposition politics in Oyo State.
With preparations for the 2027 elections already gathering momentum, every public declaration from key political actors is being closely scrutinised for clues about shifting alliances and emerging power blocs.
Engr. Olatunji's assertion that "there is no PDP" in Oyo State may ultimately prove to be a political exaggeration—or it may signal the emergence of a new political order under the APM banner.
One thing is certain: the political conversation in Oyo State has intensified, and all eyes will now be on how rival parties, PDP stakeholders, and the electorate respond in the months ahead.
As the countdown to 2027 continues, the question many political watchers are asking is simple: **Has Oyo State witnessed the end of one political era, or is this merely the beginning of an even bigger political realignment?**
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