Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun, Dr. Sikirullahi Ogundele, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with other former state executives of the party. Those who defected include former PDP State Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole; former State Youth Leader, Oyejide Sunkanmi; and former State Women Leader, Kemi Adeyemi. Several other PDP members from Ogun West Senatorial District also joined the APC.
The defection ceremony was held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Ilaro, and was attended by prominent APC leaders, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Kunle Salako. Ogundele likened the PDP to a "burning house," saying no rational person would remain in a building engulfed by fire and allow himself to be consumed.
Ogundele cited the movement of governors and other prominent politicians away from the PDP as evidence of its deepening crisis. He added that remaining in the PDP would amount to "political suicide" for him and other members who had defected. Ogundele also urged APC supporters to disregard claims questioning Adeola's Ogun roots, arguing that similar allegations had been made against previous governors of the state.
The APC state Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, welcomed the defectors and urged APC members to integrate them into the party structure. Sanusi warned against discrimination or rejection, saying, "We welcome you into the largest political party in Africa. You are automatically members of the ruling party henceforth. Together we must ensure the victory of all candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections."
Governor Abiodun also urged APC members to embark on door-to-door mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the party's prospects at the polls. Abiodun's statement was in line with the party's efforts to strengthen its grassroots and ensure a landslide victory in the upcoming elections.
The event was a significant boost to the APC in Ogun, as it gained prominent members from the PDP. The defection is seen as a major blow to the PDP, which has been struggling to maintain its stronghold in the state. The APC has been working to consolidate its position in Ogun and other states ahead of the 2027 elections.
The defection of Ogundele and others has also sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with some hailing the move as a welcome development for the APC. The party is expected to continue to gain traction in the state as it prepares for the upcoming elections.
Key points
- Former Ogun PDP chairman, Dr. Sikirullahi Ogundele, and other party members have defected to the APC, citing the PDP's deepening crisis.
- The defection ceremony was attended by prominent APC leaders, including Governor Dapo Abiodun and APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
- The APC has gained a significant boost in Ogun with the defection of prominent PDP members.
