2027: Why I chose to align with Makinde, Adekanmbi — Adelabu’s ex-aide

A former Personal Assistant to the erstwhile Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Ajiboye Akande Sangogade, popularly known as Boye Nation, has explained his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), saying the move was borne out of his personal political conviction and belief in the direction of the party.

Sangogade, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, said his decision to back and support Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, followed his assessment of political developments in the state and his desire to provide a platform through which young people could participate actively in politics.

He spoke against the backdrop of the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, last Monday, where he formally led hundreds of youths, traders, artisans and other supporters from the APC into the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Explaining his decision, Sangogade said he had reached a point where he could no longer remain on the sidelines of the political process, particularly given what he described as the implications of the 2027 elections for the future of young people in Oyo State.

He said the APM offered a platform through which the aspirations of young people could be pursued, urging those who had joined the movement to become actively involved in politics rather than remaining passive observers.

According to him, “I was a former Personal Assistant (PA) to Chief Adebayo Adelabu. I am not in any way in crisis with anyone. I’m mature enough to make a decision.”

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Sangogade stressed that his political movement should not be interpreted as a fallout with his former principal, Adelabu, making it clear that his decision was independently taken.

“The decision I made has nothing to do with my former boss, Chief Adelabu; it was a decision I took independently,” he said.

He explained that his political realignment was therefore about his own assessment of the political environment and his decision to identify with the APM and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said his decision to pitch tent with the APM was informed by his conviction that the party provided an avenue to pursue a new political direction and mobilise young people for greater participation in governance.

The former Adelabu aide declared his full support for the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Adekanmbi, stating that his supporters in all 33 local government areas of the state should rally behind the candidate as the party prepares for the 2027 governorship election.

He urged members of his political structure and other young people to actively participate in the political process, stressing that the outcome of the 2027 elections would have direct implications for their welfare, empowerment and development.

Sangogade said the political mobilisation was not simply about moving from one political party to another, but about creating an organised platform through which young people could have a stronger voice in determining the leadership of the state and country.

He said the massive turnout at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement concert was an indication of the level of mobilisation already taking place around the APM in Oyo State.

The event, which was held under the theme, “Young, United, Unstoppable (YUU),” attracted thousands of supporters and formally marked the reception of Sangogade and his supporters into the APM.