A significant blow has been dealt to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State as 5,000 of its members have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection, which occurred on Sunday, September 20, 2026, is seen as a major setback for the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defectors, mainly from the Ogun West Senatorial District, were officially received into the APC at a ceremony held at the Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro.
The reception ceremony was attended by prominent APC leaders, including the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the party's governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi. The event marked a significant boost to the APC's membership and is expected to strengthen its position in the state ahead of the 2027 elections. The defectors were welcomed with the APC's 'broom' symbol, signifying their new affiliation.
The former state chairman of the PDP, Sikirullahi Ogundele, led the group of defectors to the APC. Ogundele cited "political slavery" as the reason for his decision to leave the PDP, where he claimed to have spent seven years. He described the mass movement of prominent politicians away from the PDP as evidence of the deep crisis within the party.
Ogundele also addressed the controversy surrounding the origin status of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Adeola. He urged party supporters to disregard claims questioning Adeola's Ogun roots, citing similar allegations made against past governors of the state. Ogundele expressed confidence that Adeola would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections despite the controversy.
The APC party chairman in the state, Yemi Sanusi, assured the defectors that they would maintain their leadership status in the party. He urged them to work diligently in their respective wards to ensure that the APC wins all elective positions in the state come 2027. Sanusi's assurance is expected to boost the morale of the new members and encourage them to contribute to the party's success.
Governor Dapo Abiodun commended the new entrants into the APC for taking the bold step to join the ruling party. He noted that they would be accommodated and integrated fully into the party. Abiodun's remarks were seen as a gesture of welcome and inclusiveness, aimed at making the defectors feel at home in their new party.
The mass defection is seen as a significant development in Ogun State's politics ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC is expected to capitalize on the influx of new members to strengthen its position in the state. The PDP, on the other hand, will need to regroup and strategize to mitigate the impact of the defection on its fortunes.
Key points
- 5,000 PDP members defect to APC in Ogun State
- Defectors cite "political slavery" as reason for leaving PDP
- APC governorship candidate's origin status controversy addressed
