By Segun Olatunji
Scores of chieftains and stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party across eight local government areas in Ogun State have dumped the party and defected to the All Progressives Congress, declaring support for the 2027 governorship ambition of the Senator representing Ogun West, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi.
The defectors were formally received into the APC by Senator Adeola, on Tuesday night at his constituency office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state.
The eight local governments affected across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State are Imeko-Afon, Ifo, Ewekoro, Odogbolu, Ikenne, Remo North, Ijebu North and Ijebu North-East.
While receiving them, Adeola welcomed the new members into the progressive fold and assured them of equal opportunities and full integration into the party structure.
He said their defection was an attestation to the confidence Nigerians have in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State.
He charged them to return to their respective wards and local governments to mobilise more support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, one of the leaders said their decision was informed by Senator Adeola’s track record in quality representation, empowerment and grassroots development.
Those who defected include Alhaja Adejoke Ige, former Vice Chairman of the PDP in Imeko-Afon Local Government; Oluyemi Kayode, PDP Youth Leader in Ifo Local Government and Amos Olusola, Auditor of the PDP in Ifo Local Government; Hon. Duro Azeez, PDP’s 2023 House of Assembly candidate in Ewekoro Local Government, Sarafa Alani, former PDP Chairman in Ewekoro Local Government and Babatunde Ismail, former PDP Chairman of Itori Ward in Ewekoro Local Government.
Others are Mrs. Ogunaike More Blessing, Pastor Adekoya Idowu and Comrade Abiodun Amusan from Odogbolu Local Government; Hon. Yinusa Fatai Olalekan, Ogbeni Adekoya Olusanya and Hon. Damilola Oyekangun from Ikenne Local Government; Mrs. Kike Adeyemo, Sanya Onaneye, Awawu Sunday who is the PDP Public Relations Officer in Remo North Local Government, Oyekangun Abiola, collegiate member of the PDP in Remo North Local Government, Abiodun Kazeem and Hon. Olufemi Olutayo from Remo North Local Government; Oluwole Sanya and Kunle Ogunbanwo from Ijebu North Local Government; and Dr. Bukonla Olu Daniels from Ijebu North-East Local Government.
