The political landscape in Oyo State has witnessed a series of defections involving members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections. In Oluyole Local Government Area, hundreds of members of the APC and Accord have defected to the APM. This development has expanded the APM's grassroots membership in the local government, particularly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The defectors were received by party leaders, including Alhaji Hamzat Nasir, the Oluyole APM chairman, and Hon. Olaide Settle, the party's chairmanship candidate. Chief Adewale Alatise, popularly known as Afama, led the APC and Accord members who joined the APM. Reverend Adeniyi Oluwarotimi, Temitope Emmanuel, Asasile Oluwabunmi, and Alaba Isiaka were among those who mobilised their supporters to join the party. Alatise described the APM as a platform for politicians committed to progressive politics.
In another development, more than 1,000 members of the APM defected to the APC in Oluyole. The defectors were led by Hon. Mustapha Kazeem, popularly known as Oba Oluyole, at a ceremony held at the APC secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan. They were formally received by the APC state chairman, Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo, and members of the State Executive Committee. Kazeem cited dissatisfaction with the political leadership in the state as the reason for their defection.
The APC chairman in Oluyole, Prince Dotun Oladipupo, presented the defectors to Adeyemo, who formally welcomed them into the party. Adeyemo urged the new members to put their differences behind them and work towards the success of the APC. Meanwhile, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area, more than 3,000 members of the PDP and Accord reportedly joined the APC. The PDP candidate for Ibadan North-East State Constituency II, Hon. Hammed Taoreed Ademola, and the Accord aspirant for the same constituency, Hon. Adedapo Ojo, led hundreds of their supporters into the APC.
Ademola said his decision to leave the PDP was based on his assessment of the political situation ahead of the 2027 election. He described the APC as the only viable option for a successful election campaign. Ojo explained that he and his supporters had initially sought to make Accord a credible alternative in the state but later decided to join the APC. He cited the APC's lead over other parties as the reason for their defection.
The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, said the party was prepared to accommodate new members. Alli promised an inclusive administration if elected, including regular payment of workers' salaries and pensions, improved working conditions, and investment in infrastructure. He also promised the establishment of an ICT hub in Ibadan within six months of taking office and its replication in other parts of the state.
The latest defections come amid increasing political activities and realignments by parties and political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections. The developments have significant implications for the political landscape in Oyo State. Key factors contributing to the defections include the APC's perceived lead over other parties and the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Key points
- Over 3,000 members of the PDP and Accord joined the APC in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area.
- Hundreds of APC and Accord members defected to the APM in Oluyole Local Government Area.
- The defections reflect the ongoing realignments by parties and political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
