Amusan Also Steps Down As Questions Grow Over Sudden Changes In Makinde’s Government ‎

By Victoria Isaac

The resignation of Dr Damilare Gideon Amusan as Chairman of the Governing Council of the College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, has added a fresh dimension to the questions surrounding recent personnel changes in Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

‎Amusan’s resignation takes effect from Tuesday, October 13, according to a letter addressed to Makinde through the Chief of Staff. His departure comes a day after Segun Ogunwuyi resigned as Chief of Staff, while Tara Adefope also stepped down as Director-General of the state’s Due Process Office.

‎Although the three officials occupied different positions, the timing of their departures raises questions about what may be changing within the administration, why the exits are occurring in quick succession and what the developments could mean for the government’s remaining tenure.

‎Another Resignation, Another Unanswered Question

‎In his letter, Amusan said he took the decision “after careful consideration” and expressed appreciation to Makinde for the opportunity to serve.

‎He described his tenure as a privilege that enabled him to contribute to the “governance, development and advancement” of the institution. He also thanked members of the Governing Council, management, staff and other stakeholders for their cooperation and support.

‎Amusan expressed hope that the college would continue to contribute to agricultural education and development in Oyo State and Nigeria.

‎However, his letter did not specify what informed his decision to leave the position at this time.

*Dr Damilare Gideon Amusan

‎Was the resignation prompted by personal considerations, a change in professional direction or developments surrounding the institution? Did the decision have any connection with the wider changes occurring within the state government?

‎These questions are important because the chairman’s position involves the governance and strategic direction of a public institution. Understanding the circumstances surrounding his departure would provide a clearer picture of what the change means for the college and its ongoing responsibilities.

‎When Praise Meets An Unexpected Exit

‎The circumstances surrounding Ogunwuyi’s departure present another question that deserves attention.

‎In his resignation letter dated October 12, the former Chief of Staff described his service to the government and people of Oyo State as “a great honour.” He also said it had been “deeply fulfilling” to be part of the team responsible for what he called the administration’s “remarkable achievements.”

‎Most notably, Ogunwuyi declared: “I remain immensely proud of what we have collectively accomplished.” He also expressed confidence in the continued progress of Oyo State.

‎Those are strong words of appreciation for an administration he had served at the centre of its operations.

‎Yet, they raise a question: if Ogunwuyi remained proud of the administration’s achievements and confident in the state’s progress, what informed his decision to leave one of the most influential positions in the government at this particular time?

‎His letter did not provide a specific explanation. The contrast between his public expression of satisfaction and his decision to resign therefore makes the circumstances surrounding his exit worthy of further examination.

‎Was it a planned transition after years in government? Were there changing political or professional considerations? Or were there developments within the administration that have not been publicly explained?

‎The answers would help the public understand the departure beyond the courteous language that typically accompanies official resignation letters.

‎Makinde’s Claims of Progress Face A Fresh Test

‎The questions surrounding the departures also come against the backdrop of Makinde’s recent defence of his administration’s record.

‎Following criticism of his two-hour media chat by the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, defended the engagement as an exercise in transparency and accountability.

‎Olanrewaju argued that the governor had addressed security, infrastructure, financial management and local government administration. He also cited the administration’s reported progress in internally generated revenue, road development, security and other sectors.

*The former Oyo State Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi

‎In defending the governor’s engagement with the public, the aide declared that the administration had delivered “measurable progress for Oyo State.”

‎But if transparency and accountability are central to the administration’s approach to governance, how should the government respond when a series of high-profile resignations raises questions among residents?

‎The issue is not whether an administration can celebrate its achievements while officials leave their positions. Both can occur at the same time. Rather, it is whether the government can provide sufficient clarity about significant changes within its ranks, particularly when those changes happen within a short period.

‎Makinde’s administration has repeatedly defended its record and presented its achievements as evidence of progress. The latest departures introduce a different question: what do these changes reveal about the administration’s internal direction, its personnel decisions and its plans for the period ahead?

‎The governor’s assessment of his government’s performance is one part of the story. The circumstances surrounding the exits of officials who have served within that government are another.

‎Adefope’s Exit and The Wider Picture

‎Adefope’s resignation as Director-General of the Due Process Office adds another important dimension to the developments.

‎The office is associated with public procurement processes, making leadership continuity relevant to the management and oversight of government expenditure.

The departure of its former head, alongside the exits of the Chief of Staff and the chairman of a state-owned institution’s governing council, has drawn attention to the pace of the recent changes.

‎Are the departures independent personnel decisions, or do they reflect a broader shift in the administration’s political or institutional direction?

‎What considerations informed the timing of each resignation? And what do the changes mean for the coordination of government business, procurement oversight and the leadership of public institutions?

‎These are questions the government and the departing officials are best placed to clarify.

‎Meanwhile, Makinde has appointed Akinwale Akinwole as the new Chief of Staff and assigned Aderonke Adedayo, who previously served as Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies, the additional responsibility of Director-General of the Due Process Office.

‎The appointments provide replacements for two of the departing officials, but the larger questions surrounding the circumstances and timing of the exits remain.

‎Beyond The Change of Personnel

‎For Oyo residents, the significance of these developments extends beyond the individuals leaving office. What matters is whether the changes affect the continuity, coordination and effectiveness of government.

*The former Director-General of the state’s Due Process Office, Tara Adefope

‎The Chief of Staff’s office plays a central role in coordinating the governor’s administration. The Due Process Office has responsibilities relating to public procurement, while the governing council of the College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, contributes to the institution’s oversight and direction.

‎Each position carries public responsibilities that must continue to be discharged despite changes in leadership.

‎The administration must therefore ensure effective transitions while addressing the questions arising from the recent departures. The public also has a legitimate interest in understanding the circumstances surrounding changes at senior levels of government.

‎Amusan’s resignation may eventually be explained on its own terms. The same applies to the exits of Ogunwuyi and Adefope. But the close timing of the departures has made it difficult to view them without asking whether there is a wider story behind the changes.

‎Ogunwuyi’s declaration that he remained “immensely proud” of the administration’s achievements, alongside the government’s public emphasis on transparency and accountability, gives the debate another point of focus.

‎If the administration is confident in its record and the officials who served within it have expressed appreciation for their roles, what explains the sudden sequence of departures—and how much more can the public learn about the circumstances behind them?

‎That is the question now confronting Makinde’s government: not simply who has left, but why these changes are occurring now and what they mean for the administration’s direction as it continues to govern Oyo State.

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