About 5,000 members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State defected to the All Progressives Congress on Sunday during a gathering in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.
The defectors, largely drawn from Ogun West Senatorial District, were formally received into the APC by Governor Dapo Abiodun, the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and the state APC chairman, Yemi Sanusi.
Among those who moved to the ruling party were former Ogun PDP chairman Sikirullahi Ogundele, former PDP publicity secretary Akinloye Bankole, Soji Eweje, former Yewa North Local Government chairman Ganiu Dada, popularly known as Obanibasiri, and former PDP women leader Kemi Adeyemi.
Ogundele, who spent several years in the PDP, said he led the group into the APC because of what he described as problems within the opposition party. He also pointed to the movement of other prominent politicians away from the PDP as part of the reason for his decision.
He further urged his former party members to consider the political developments in the state as the 2027 elections approach. The defectors said they would use their political experience and networks to support the APC’s activities in the state.
The former PDP chairman also addressed the controversy surrounding the background of Adeola, the APC’s governorship candidate. He argued that questions about the origins of governorship candidates had featured in previous elections in Ogun State.
Ogundele referred to past governors Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, saying similar claims had been made about their backgrounds before they eventually won governorship elections in the state. The comments came amid a renewed dispute over claims concerning Adeola’s ancestry. Adeola has rejected the allegations and threatened legal action against individuals making the claims.
At the defection ceremony, Sanusi presented the APC’s broom symbol to the new members and assured them that they would be integrated into the party. He also called on them to work within their various wards ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abiodun welcomed the defectors and said the APC would accommodate them within its structure. He called on the new members and existing party members to work together as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.
The latest movement adds to the series of political realignments taking place in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC has already inaugurated its state campaign council, with Abiodun serving as chairman and Adeola as co-chairman.
The development also comes amid continued political activity among the major parties in the state, with the APC, PDP and other parties preparing their structures and candidates for the next election.