Firdaus Obiremi
Two senior officials in the administration of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, have resigned their appointments, deepening the wave of high-profile departures from the state government.
The latest officials to leave are the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo, and the Special Adviser to the governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Simeon Oyeleke.
The duo reportedly tendered their resignation letters on Monday, November 2, 2026, announcing that their decisions would take immediate effect.
Although both officials expressed appreciation to Makinde for the opportunity to serve in his administration, neither disclosed the circumstances surrounding their decisions to quit.
In his resignation letter addressed to the governor, Ojo formally announced his decision to relinquish his position as commissioner, with effect from November 2.
He referenced his appointment letter dated June 22, 2026, before notifying the governor of his resignation.
“With reference to your letter dated 22nd June, 2026 (SP.S.662/2/VOL.IV/192), I respectfully write to formally resign my appointment as Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, with effect from today, 2nd November, 2026,” he stated.
The outgoing commissioner described his period in government as an honour, expressing gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to contribute to the development of Oyo State.
Similarly, Oyeleke, in a separate letter, announced his resignation as Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, also with immediate effect.
He thanked Makinde for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to contribute to the administration’s policies and development programmes.
Oyeleke also acknowledged the governor’s leadership, support and encouragement during his tenure, while expressing continued commitment to the peace and development of the state.
“I remain grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this administration and to have contributed to its laudable achievements. I also remain committed to the peace, progress and development of Oyo State,” he wrote.
The latest resignations have further drawn attention to the growing number of political appointees and senior government officials who have exited the Makinde administration in recent months.
The development comes barely three weeks after the governor’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, resigned from his position on October 12, 2026, after serving in the role since July 2021.
Ogunwuyi’s departure, which also took immediate effect, was not accompanied by any publicly disclosed explanation.
However, Makinde moved swiftly to appoint Bashorun Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as his replacement.
On the same day, the Director-General of the Oyo State Due Process Office, Tara Adefope, also resigned her appointment, adding to the list of top officials who had left the administration.
In late October, the governor’s Executive Assistant on Security Coordination, Kabiru Salami, also tendered his resignation.
Other notable departures include Funmi Arulogun, a former Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, who resigned in August, citing personal and political considerations.
A member of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Babatunde Oduyoye, also stepped down in July, while former Commissioner of Police and Makinde’s Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, resigned in May.
Although the reasons behind the latest departures remain unclear, the succession of resignations has raised questions about the changing composition of Makinde’s political and administrative team.
The developments are also unfolding against the backdrop of increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement, is expected to play a significant role in the emerging political realignments ahead of the polls.
However, it remains unclear whether the recent resignations are connected to the unfolding political developments or are independent decisions by the affected officials.
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