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The political camp of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, suffered another major defection blow on Monday as Mrs. Funmi Arulogun, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, formally tendered her resignation, citing political realignment and the broader interest of the state and nation.
Mrs. Arulogun, a prominent political figure from Alafara, Ibadan North East Local Government, submitted her resignation letter dated 3rd August, 2026, through the Office of the Chief of Staff, Government Secretariat, Ibadan. Her exit adds to the growing list of political actors and appointees who have recently dumped the Makinde administration ahead of the 2027 political permutations.
In her letter, Mrs. Arulogun expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for the opportunity to serve, but made it clear that the time had come for her to “move forward” politically.
“I hereby resign my appointment as the Senior Special Assistant SSA on Diaspora Matters with immediate effect,” she wrote.
“I thank Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde FNSE, for giving me the opportunity to work in your government. I return all glory to the Almighty God for giving me the grace to serve the people of Oyo State for the past few years.”
Giving reasons for her decision, the former SSA stated that her resignation was taken:
“In the interest of our dear Nation: In the interest of our beloved state, Oyo State: In the interest of my followers; And for the love of me.”
She further extended appreciation to political associates, family, friends, and her loyal followers across the state.
The resignation of Mrs. Arulogun is coming at a critical time when the Makinde administration is grappling with a wave of high-profile exits. In the last few months, several special advisers, local government chieftains, and grassroots mobilizers loyal to the governor have decamped to opposition platforms, citing alleged marginalization, lack of internal democracy, and uncertainty over the 2027 succession battle.
Political analysts in Ibadan say the exit of Mrs. Arulogun, who was saddled with the sensitive portfolio of Diaspora Matters, is particularly significant because she commanded considerable influence among Ibadan North East stakeholders and in the diaspora community where Oyo indigenes abroad are major contributors to socio-economic development.
Sources within the Government Secretariat told our correspondent that Mrs. Arulogun’s resignation had been expected, following months of frosty relations and consultations with other political blocs ahead of 2027.
Reacting to the development, a senior PDP chieftain in Ibadan North East who pleaded anonymity described Mrs. Arulogun as “a mobilizer per excellence” whose departure will leave a vacuum in the governor’s diaspora and grassroots engagement strategy.
“She was not just an appointee. She had followers, she had structure, and she understood the politics of Ibadan North East. This is another big loss for the governor’s camp,” he said.
Another political observer noted that the phrase “for the love of me” in her resignation letter signals a possible move to reposition herself ahead of the next election cycle, either as a candidate or as a key power broker in a new political alignment.
As of press time, the Chief of Staff’s office and the Commissioner for Information had not issued an official statement on the resignation.
With Mrs. Arulogun’s exit, the Makinde administration now faces the urgent task of not only filling key vacancies but also of rebuilding political trust within its ranks as the 2027 governorship and general elections draw closer.
The wave of defections is widely seen as a reflection of the shifting political dynamics in Oyo State, where realignments, new alliances, and succession politics are already reshaping the landscape.
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