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).
He said the move was driven by his personal political conviction and his belief in the direction being pursued by the new platform.
Sangogade, who spoke with journalists in Ibadan, said his decision to support Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, and the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Akeem Bimbo Adekanbi, was based on his assessment of the political developments in the state and his desire to create greater opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in political leadership and governance.
He spoke against the backdrop of the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, where he formally led thousands 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 at a time when young people must become more actively involved in determining the direction of the state.
He maintained that his decision was not the result of any disagreement with Adelabu, stressing that he was mature enough to make independent political choices.
“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,” he said.
Sangogade further clarified that his political realignment should not be interpreted as a fallout with his former principal, noting that his decision to join the APM 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.
According to him, his movement into the APM was informed by his conviction that the party could provide a platform for young people to play a more prominent role in the political process and contribute to shaping the future leadership of Oyo State.
He particularly expressed support for Adekanbi, saying the APM governorship candidate had demonstrated an appeal to younger voters and political actors seeking a generational shift in leadership.
Sangogade urged members of his political structure across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State to mobilise support for Adekanbi ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said the decision was not merely about changing political parties but about building an organised movement capable of giving young people a stronger voice in determining who leads the state.
“We cannot continue to return to the oldies. The youths must be involved, and that is why I believe Adekanbi resonates with the youths,” he said.
Sangogade also urged young people who had joined the movement to move beyond political spectatorship by getting involved in grassroots mobilisation and other aspects of the democratic process.
He said the massive turnout recorded at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert demonstrated the level of support and mobilisation that could be generated when young people were given a platform to express their political aspirations.
The event, held under the theme, “Young, United, Unstoppable (YUU),” attracted youths, traders, artisans and other supporters and formally marked the reception of Sangogade and members of his political structure into the APM.
Sangogade said he would continue to mobilize his supporters across Oyo State in support of the APM and its candidates as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.