Igede Community Enters Makinde-Daura Campaign Train as Political Alignment Shifts in Oyo
The political landscape in Oyo State appears to be witnessing a significant shift as members of the Igede community resident in the state increasingly position themselves within the emerging Allied Peoples Movement (APM) political structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development comes against the backdrop of the growing Makinde-Daura 2027 campaign, following the emergence of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as the APM presidential candidate and the party’s nomination of Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi as its governorship candidate in Oyo State.
For the Igede community, the development represents what some community stakeholders regard as a new chapter in their political engagement in Oyo State. Rather than remaining on the margins of the state’s political calculations, the community is increasingly demanding recognition, consultation and meaningful participation in governance.
This position is also consistent with recent public statements attributed to Igede community leaders, who have stressed that the community should no longer be approached merely for political mobilisation during election periods but should instead be recognised as a stakeholder deserving of inclusion and measurable political engagement.
Ochete Emerges as a Key Political Figure
At the centre of this emerging political conversation is Comrade Simon Ochete, identified as a leader of the Igede Progressive Movement in Ibadan.
According to information surrounding the latest political engagement, Ochete was identified and consulted by Governor Seyi Makinde at his residence, where discussions reportedly focused on the participation of non-indigenous communities in governance and the importance of inclusive political representation in Oyo State.
The reported engagement is significant because Ochete has increasingly become a recognised voice within the Igede community, attracting attention from political actors across party lines.
His political journey has also been closely associated with the network surrounding Hon. Ajigboye Akande Sangodade of BoyeNation and the political structure previously connected to former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. Ochete has publicly maintained that his loyalty to Adelabu remains firm while awaiting his principal's next political direction.
That history makes his reported engagement with Makinde particularly noteworthy.
From Political Pressure to a New Alignment
The development comes after a period in which political actors from different parties reportedly sought Ochete’s influence and the support of the Igede community.
Among those mentioned in the political conversations is Chief Dotun Sanusi, whose interactions with Igede stakeholders have generated discussion over the community’s political direction. Recent reports also indicate that disagreements emerged over attempts to determine who could legitimately speak for sections of the Igede community.
Yet, despite political pressure, Ochete has continued to emphasise loyalty to his established political relationships and principal.
Governor Makinde’s reported recognition of that loyalty could therefore signal a broader effort to bring previously under-engaged communities into the APM campaign structure.
The APM itself has been building an increasingly organised campaign machinery in Oyo State. Makinde inaugurated the party’s apex campaign council, with Dr. Nureni Adeniran appointed as the Oyo State Coordinator of the APM presidential campaign and Director-General of the governorship campaign council. Makinde has also publicly called for an all-inclusive campaign structure involving relevant stakeholders.
Igede and the Politics of Inclusion
The latest development should therefore be viewed beyond a simple question of party allegiance. It reflects the increasing political consciousness of non-indigenous communities resident in Oyo State and their determination to negotiate their political relevance.
The Igede community has previously demonstrated its willingness to engage politically. Historical reporting documented Igala and Igede communities in Oyo State mobilising support for political candidates, demonstrating that these communities have long participated in the state's political process.
The difference now is the scale and organisation of the engagement.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the reported alignment of sections of the Igede community with APM could become an important grassroots development for the Makinde-Daura campaign.
For Ochete and his supporters, the message appears straightforward: political loyalty should translate into recognition, inclusion and opportunities to contribute to governance.
And for the Igede community, the emerging relationship with the APM may represent more than an electoral calculation—it could be the beginning of a new political bargaining position in Oyo State.
As the Makinde-Daura campaign continues to expand across the country, all eyes will now be on how effectively the APM converts these emerging community-level alliances into a broader coalition ahead of 2027.
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