With less than five months to the 2027 governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has suffered another major defection as its former state Chairman, Hon. Sikirullahi Ogundele, led thousands of members into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors, said to number more than 20,000, were received into the APC at a grand reception held in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Among the prominent PDP chieftains who joined the APC alongside Ogundele were former state Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole; former state Youth Leader, Oyejide Sukanmi; Omooba Segun Adewale; former PDP local government chairmen, Hon. Titus Soji Eweje and Alhaji Kayode Adewale Sunmola; Jinadu Hammed; former State Women Leader, Kemi Adeyemi; High Chief Adejobi, Lisa of Imeko; former PDP Ogun West Senatorial candidate, Alhaji Ganiyu Dada Obanibashiri; and the ADC State Legal Adviser, among others.
The new members were received by Governor Dapo Abiodun; the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi; and the state APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ogundele declared that the PDP had become deeply divided and was no longer capable of providing a viable platform for its members.
According to him, the party had “collapsed” and its umbrella had been “torn into pieces.”
Ogundele likened the situation in the PDP to a house on fire, saying that no rational person would remain in a burning building and risk being consumed by the flames.
He said the movement of governors and other prominent politicians away from the PDP was evidence of the crisis confronting the opposition party.
He added that remaining in the PDP under the circumstances would amount to “political suicide” for him and other members who had decided to defect.
*Ogundele Defends Yayi’s Ogun Roots*
Ogundele also addressed the controversy surrounding the indigeneship of Adeola, urging APC supporters and the electorate to disregard allegations questioning the governorship candidate’s Ogun roots.
He argued that similar allegations had been made against political figures who later governed the state, citing former governors Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun.
He said the controversy surrounding Adeola was therefore not unusual in Ogun’s governorship contests.
“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 said.
Ogundele urged APC members not to be distracted by what he described as rumours concerning Adeola’s ancestry, but to concentrate on the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 election.
*Sanusi: Defections Show Opposition in Tatters*
Receiving the defectors, APC state Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, said the calibre of PDP leaders who joined the ruling party demonstrated the depth of the crisis within the opposition.
Sanusi urged other opposition politicians and supporters across the state to join the APC through their respective wards, promising that they would witness the development initiatives of the APC administration at both state and federal levels.
*Abiodun Welcomes Defectors*
Governor Abiodun, while welcoming the defectors, described their decision to join the APC as significant, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.
He said their decision to identify with the APC would enable them to participate in and benefit from the programmes and policies of the APC administrations at the state and federal levels.
The governor urged them to integrate fully into the APC and contribute their experience and political networks to the party.
*Yayi Promises Recognition*
Also speaking, Senator Adeola welcomed the former PDP leaders and their supporters into the APC and urged them to mobilise their supporters for the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Adeola assured the defectors that their sacrifices and decision to support the APC would not be forgotten.
He also appealed to existing APC members to receive the new entrants as brothers and sisters and work with them for the success of the party.
He commended the defectors for what he described as their principled decision to relinquish their positions and political interests in support of the APC’s 2027 agenda.
The mass defection further strengthens the APC’s political activities in Ogun West, which remains a major focus of the parties ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.