A significant number of members from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection took place at the APC state secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Friday. The defectors, led by Hon. Mustapha Kazeem, also known as Oba Oluyole, were received by the Oyo State APC Chairman, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other state executive committee members.
According to Hon. Kazeem, the decision to defect was influenced by their experiences while supporting Governor Seyi Makinde. He claimed that the governor failed to adequately recognise the loyalty and sacrifices of some of his political supporters. Kazeem also accused members of Makinde's political structure in Oluyole of victimising members of his group. These alleged experiences led them to leave the APM and join the APC.
Kazeem described the APC as a platform capable of accommodating their political interests. He alleged that the APM had become closely associated with the Makinde administration. The defectors declared they were no longer willing to remain in what they described as "deceit and propaganda." They expressed their readiness to participate in the APC's activities and programmes.
The Chairman of the APC in Oluyole Local Government Area, Dotun Oladipupo, presented the new members to Adeyemo. As a symbol of their formal admission into the APC, Adeyemo presented brooms to the defectors. He urged them to put their previous political differences aside and participate actively in the party's programmes and activities.
Adeyemo also mentioned that the APC provided a platform for the defectors to participate in the party's "Renewed Hope" project. This development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and political actors positioning themselves for the contest. The defection is a significant blow to the APM and a gain for the APC in Oyo State.
Meanwhile, an APM chieftain, Oluwaseun Adeloro, has suggested that opposition parties still have an opportunity to unite behind a single candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Adeloro made this comment during an appearance on Arise Television's The Morning Show on Wednesday. He argued that opposition politicians should consider a coalition despite separate presidential ambitions.
Adeloro expressed support for Governor Seyi Makinde as a possible consensus candidate. However, he acknowledged that other major opposition contenders, such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, might not be prepared to withdraw their ambitions. Adeloro also criticised the management of Nigeria's oil revenues, arguing that the country had not maintained sufficient savings for future needs.
Key points
- Over 1,000 APM members defect to APC in Oyo State.
- Defectors cite lack of recognition and victimisation by Governor Makinde's political structure.
- Opposition parties may still unite behind a single candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
