Over 20,000 PDP Members Defect to APC in Ogun West as Abiodun, Adeola, Sanusi Receive Ogundele, Others

ILARO — The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered another major setback ahead of the 2027 governorship election, as over 20,000 of its members in Ogun West Senatorial District defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors, led by former PDP state Chairman Hon. Sikirullahi Ogundele, were received at a grand reception in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area, by Governor Dapo Abiodun, APC governorship candidate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), and state APC Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi.

Others who defected alongside Ogundele included former state Publicity Secretary Akinloye Bankole; former PDP Youth Leader Oyejide Sukanmi; Omooba Segun Adewale; former PDP local government chairmen Hon. Titus Soji Eweje and Alhaji Kayode Adewale Sunmola; Jinadu Hammed; state Women Leader Kemi Adeyemi; High Chief Adejobi, the Lisa of Imeko; former PDP senatorial candidate in Ogun West Alhaji Ganiyu Dada Obanibashiri; and an ADC state legal adviser, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ogundele declared that the PDP had since “collapsed,” with its umbrella torn into pieces. He likened the party to a burning house, saying no right-thinking person would remain inside a building engulfed by fire and allow himself to be consumed.

He said the mass movement of governors and other prominent politicians away from the PDP was evidence of a deep crisis within the party, stressing that remaining in it would amount to political suicide.

On the controversy over Adeola’s indigeneship status, Ogundele described the allegations as a recurring feature of governorship contests in Ogun State. He said similar claims were made against past governors, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba in 1999, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in 2003, and Ibikunle Amosun in 2011, yet they all won.

“They said Amosun is from Benin Republic, Daniel from Delta State, Osoba from Osogbo. Despite that, they all emerged as governors of the state. So, what is going on against Yayi now is an indication that he will also win,” he said, urging party supporters to disregard the rumour.

Receiving the defectors, Sanusi said the quality of PDP leaders joining the APC showed that the opposition was in tatters. He called on opposition members to join the APC at their ward levels and witness the development across the state.

Governor Abiodun described the defection as heartwarming, noting that the new members were joining the winning party a few months before the elections. He assured them they would benefit from APC administration at both state and federal levels.

Also welcoming the former PDP chieftains and their followers, Senator Adeola urged them to mobilise and vote for the APC in all coming general elections, assuring them that their sacrifices would not be forgotten. He asked APC members to receive them as brothers and sisters, adding that their decision to forgo their positions for his ambition was encouraging.