Yewa South Development Record Takes Centre Stage as APC Supporters Question PDP’s ‘Mass Defection’ Claim

……Supporters cite road projects, schools, transformers, farmers’ market and nearly ₦100 million electricity intervention in Oke Erinja/Eredo, while calling for independent verification of reported defections.

The reported defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilobi Erinja Ward, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, has sparked a fresh political debate, with APC supporters drawing attention to ongoing development projects and infrastructure interventions across the area.

The PDP announced that it received new members from the APC on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, at Ilobi Erinja Ward. The event was attended by Hon. Babatunde Ogunola (TOMO), the party’s candidate for the Ogun West Senatorial District, alongside PDP Southwest Zonal Secretary and Deputy Director-General of the Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, Comr. Wole Omotaje; PDP Ogun West Senatorial Chairman, Elder Soledolu; PDP Ado-Odo/Ota Party Chairman, Hon. Ahmed Shuaib; and other party leaders.

Speaking on behalf of the reported defectors, Akinlade Babatunde reportedly pledged their support for the PDP at their respective polling units while appealing for improved roads and employment opportunities in Ilobi Erinja.

In response, APC supporters in Yewa South have questioned whether the reported gathering represents the wider political position of the community, insisting that the scale and composition of the alleged defection should be independently verified before it is interpreted as evidence of a broader shift in political allegiance.

They maintained that the political activities of a group of individuals should not automatically be presented as the collective decision of Ilobi, Erinja, Eredo, Ilori or the entire Yewa South Local Government Area.

Development Projects Feature in APC Supporters’ Response

At the centre of the response is a list of projects and interventions attributed to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi).

According to the supporters, these initiatives demonstrate the importance of assessing political representation through documented infrastructure delivery, community development and efforts to address residents’ needs.

Among the projects cited is the construction of the Police Secondary School in Erinja, which supporters say could strengthen educational opportunities in the area. They also referenced an ongoing police academy project in Erinja as another development initiative.

Road infrastructure was another major component of the response. The supporters pointed to road projects covering Oke Erinja and the Erinja–Ilobi corridor, attributed to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, as well as the ongoing construction of the Ilobi–Eredo Road, including drainage works.

They said improved road connectivity remained essential to the movement of residents, transportation of agricultural produce, access to public services and commercial activities across the communities.

The provision of a block of six classrooms serving primary and secondary education needs in the Ilobi/Erinja area was also included in the list of projects cited by the supporters.

However, the current completion status, precise locations and official project records were not independently established for this report.

Yayi’s Electricity Intervention in Oke Erinja and Eredo

One of the key issues highlighted by the APC supporters is the prolonged electricity challenge reportedly experienced by residents of Oke Erinja and Eredo.

According to their account, the communities have endured years of inadequate or unavailable electricity, affecting households, small businesses and other economic activities.

They attributed a recent intervention to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), saying an investment approaching **₦100 million** had been committed towards restoring electricity to the affected communities.

The supporters described the reported intervention as a significant effort to address the electricity problem, noting that reliable power supply could improve living conditions, support local businesses and create a more favourable environment for economic activities.

They stressed, however, that the investment amount, scope of work, funding details and implementation status should be documented, while the ultimate impact would depend on the restoration and sustainability of electricity supply.

The supporters also cited the donation of 500KVA transformers to Oke Erinja, Erinja and Ilobi communities, which they attributed to Senator Yayi.

According to them, electricity infrastructure remains a major development priority for communities seeking improved commercial activity and better living conditions.

Ilobi Farmers’ Market and Expressway Connectivity

The proposed or ongoing farmers’ market project in Ilobi, also attributed to Senator Yayi by the supporters, featured prominently in their response.

They said the project could provide farmers with improved opportunities to market their produce, facilitate agricultural trade and support economic activities in the surrounding communities.

They also referenced the strategic importance of the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway corridor serving the Ilobi area, noting that major transport infrastructure could create opportunities for improved connectivity and commercial growth.

The supporters argued that these projects and interventions should form part of a wider public discussion about infrastructure delivery and the development priorities of Yewa South.

APC Supporters Challenge PDP to Present Its Development Agenda

Reacting to the PDP’s reported defection announcement, the APC supporters called on political parties and aspirants to focus on verifiable achievements and clear proposals for addressing the challenges facing residents.

They noted that the requests for improved roads and employment opportunities reportedly made by the new PDP members were legitimate community concerns that required practical solutions.

According to them, political aspirants should explain how they intend to address unemployment, electricity shortages, road infrastructure, educational needs and agricultural development, including the funding arrangements and measurable targets for their proposals.

They also maintained that any claim of widespread political realignment should be supported by credible information about the number of people involved and their actual grassroots affiliations.

The supporters cautioned against treating a single political gathering as definitive evidence of the political position of an entire local government area.

At the same time, they acknowledged that individuals have the democratic right to choose their preferred political party and that such choices should be respected.

Ogun West Governorship Debate Intensifies

The development debate comes amid political activities surrounding Senator Yayi’s aspiration to become the next governor of Ogun State.

The APC supporters expressed continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Yayi’s governorship ambition, while also acknowledging development initiatives attributed to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.

They said their position was based on their assessment of ongoing and reported projects in Yewa South, particularly in education, roads, electricity and agricultural infrastructure.

Nevertheless, the broader political contest is expected to involve competing claims about development records, policy proposals and grassroots support. The completion status and impact of individual projects, alongside the details of the reported defection, remain important considerations for an evidence-based assessment.

Community Development Remains Central to the Debate

The reported PDP defection has brought renewed attention to the development needs of Ilobi, Erinja, Eredo, Ilori and other communities in Yewa South.

While the PDP has presented the gathering as a significant political development, APC supporters have countered by highlighting projects they say demonstrate ongoing efforts to address infrastructure challenges in the area.

The competing positions underline the importance of verifying political claims and examining public projects through official records, implementation updates and evidence of benefits to residents.

For the communities concerned, key priorities remain reliable electricity, accessible roads, quality educational facilities, employment opportunities and support for farmers and local businesses.

Ultimately, the political significance of the reported defection and the value of the projects cited by the APC supporters will depend on verifiable evidence, actual delivery and the freely expressed choices of voters.

As political activities continue in Ogun West, the debate in Yewa South is increasingly centred on two questions: the extent of the reported political realignment and the measurable impact of development interventions on the lives of residents.