No fewer than 5,000 members and loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State have defected to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, drawn largely from the Ogun West Senatorial District, formally joined the APC on Sunday at a ceremony held in Ilaro, the headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area.
They were received into the ruling party by Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is also the APC governorship candidate, alongside the state chairman of the party, Yemi Sanusi.
Among the prominent PDP figures who joined the APC were former state chairman Sikirullahi Ogundele, Chief Sina Adejobi, former PDP Publicity Secretary Akinloye Bankole, Evangelist Soji Eweje, former Chairman of Yewa North Local Government Alhaji Ganiu Dada, popularly known as Obanibasiri, and former PDP Woman Leader Chief Kemi Adeyemi.
Speaking during the event, Ogundele said he led other senior PDP members into the APC after spending seven years in the opposition party, citing what he described as “political slavery” within the PDP.
He argued that the movement of several governors and prominent politicians away from the PDP reflected the depth of the crisis confronting the party, adding that remaining in it would amount to political suicide for experienced politicians.
Ogundele explained that “The truth is that there is nothing like the PDP again in the state; what is left behind is an empty shell, the umbrella which is the symbol of the party has been shredded into pieces, and some of us have escaped so as not to allow the PDP dilapidated house to collapse on us.
We have therefore moved away from the opposition party and embrace the APC, which we know is also the next victorious party in the state come 2027 elections. We are all ready to work diligently and deploy our wealth of experience to further mobilise for the APC landmark victory in 2027.”
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He also addressed the controversy over the origin of the APC governorship candidate, Adeola, describing questions over candidates’ Ogun roots as a recurring issue during governorship elections in the state.
Ogundele urged APC supporters to ignore the claims against Adeola’s Ogun origin, citing similar allegations previously levelled against former governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba in 1999, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in 2003 and Ibikunle Amosun in 2011.
They said Amosun is from Benin Republic, Daniel from Delta State, Osoba from Osogbo. Despite that, they all emerged as governors of the state. So, what is going on against Yayi now is an indication that he will also win”, he stated.
Presenting the APC broom symbol to the new members, Sanusi assured the defectors that their leadership positions would be preserved within the party.
He also charged them to mobilise support across their respective wards and work towards the APC securing all elective positions in Ogun State in the 2027 elections.
Abiodun, in his remarks, welcomed the former PDP members, describing their decision to join the APC as a bold step. He assured them that they would be accommodated and fully integrated into the party.
Abiodun said, “I want to thank those who have seen the light and have decided to be part of the APC. We value your courage and decision to join forces with us in the ruling party as we are more delighted to have notable politicians from the state believing in the leadership of the APC government in the state.
“I assure all of you that you will all be accommodated in the scheme of things. So let us all work together as one united family and deliver a landmark victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections.”