RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
No fewer than 5,000 members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, drawn mainly from the Ogun West Senatorial District, were formally received into the APC at a ceremony held on Sunday in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area.
The event was attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and the state APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi.
Among those who joined the APC were former Ogun PDP Chairman, Sikirullahi Ogundele; former State Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole; former State Youth Leader, Oyejide Sunkanmi; former State Women Leader, Kemi Adeyemi; and other party chieftains from Ogun West.
Speaking at the event, Ogundele said he decided to leave the PDP after seven years in the party, describing his move as an attempt to escape what he called “political slavery.”
He attributed the defections of governors and other prominent politicians from the PDP to what he described as a deepening crisis within the opposition party.
Ogundele also dismissed controversies surrounding Adeola’s claim to Ogun State roots, describing such allegations as a recurring feature of governorship contests in the state.
He cited previous allegations against former governors Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, arguing that similar controversies did not prevent them from emerging as governors.
At the ceremony, Sanusi formally welcomed the defectors into the APC and assured them that they would be integrated into the party structure.
He urged the new members to return to their respective wards and participate actively in the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abiodun also welcomed the defectors, assuring them that they would be accommodated and fully integrated into the ruling party.
The governor urged the new members and existing APC supporters to work together as one political family ahead of the 2027 general elections.
