ABEOKUTA – In a major political setback for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general elections, scores of party leaders have decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Media Adviser to the APC Governorship Candidate, Chief Kayode Odunaro, in a statement on Sunday, said the steady movement of prominent PDP figures into the APC had effectively emptied the opposition party’s political structure across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Odunaro, attributed the development to what he described as the senator’s growing popularity, his record of infrastructural interventions and empowerment programmes, as well as the desire of politicians to align with what they perceive as a stronger political platform ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said the trend gathered momentum following the emergence of Adeola as the consensus governorship candidate of the APC, with several PDP leaders and their supporters allegedly holding meetings with the senator and pledging their support for his gubernatorial ambition.
According to Odunaro, the movement cuts across Ogun West, Ogun Central and Ogun East, with prominent PDP leaders, former candidates, former local government chairmen, party executives and political aspirants among those who have reportedly joined the APC.
He said the development had been driven by several factors, including Adeola’s alleged infrastructural accomplishments and empowerment initiatives, as well as what some opposition politicians perceive as the lack of certainty surrounding the leadership and structure of the PDP in Ogun State amid lingering litigation between factions.
Odunaro also claimed that some political actors were opposed to the prospect of another eight-year governorship administration emerging from Iperu, noting that Governor Dapo Abiodun, an Iperu indigene, is currently serving his second term.
He said the cumulative effect of the developments was the weakening of the PDP’s grassroots machinery ahead of the 2027 election.
In Ogun West, the senator’s home district, Odunaro listed several former and serving PDP figures who, according to him, have pitched their tents with the APC.
They include Chief Adesina Adejobi, PDP apex leader and Lisa of Imeko; former commissioner, Beere Ayodele Mujidat Balogun; Hon. Lati Olorode; Otunba Ogunrinde Adebisi; and Chief Ayinla Ogunleye, all from Imeko-Afon Local Government Area.
Others listed from the Yewa North axis are Hon. Titus Soji Eweje (Asuje), an apex PDP leader and two-term local government chairman; Chief Mrs. Kemi Adeyemi, former PDP State Woman Leader; Mrs. Iyabo Akinbo, former Ogun West Senatorial Woman Leader; Chief Opeifa Samuel, former PDP Assistant Youth Leader; Elder Fatosin Taiwo, former Assistant State Secretary; Prince Bamidele Adeyanju; Alhaja Oritoke Ige; and Mr. Opeifa Johnson.
Odunaro further named several PDP leaders from Yewa South, including Chief Sunmonu Adewale, former Yewa South chairman; Omoba Segun Adewale (OSA), a PDP apex leader and former governorship aspirant; Chief Abraham Adeleye; Alhaji Taiwo Saminu; Chief Olaseni Salako; Alhaja Modupe Yusuf; and Alhaji Sheriff Adeosun.
In Ado-Odo/Ota, the statement identified High Chief Ganiyu Dada, former PDP Ogun West senatorial candidate; Prince Adewale Adeyanju; Olalekan Waliyu Alli-Akinde; and Otunba Ahmed Jinadu as among those who have moved to the APC.
Similarly, Odunaro said several PDP leaders in Ipokia, including Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, former PDP publicity secretary and campaign spokesman; Hon. Joel Bandele; Alhaji Ghazali Aloko; Araba Ogunyanju; and Chief Isiaka Akin Olaniyan, have also joined the APC.
The APC chieftain said Ogun Central had also witnessed significant movement of PDP members into the ruling party.
Among those he listed are Hon. Taiwo Akinlabi, former PDP Ogun Central chairman; Comrade Oyejide Sunkanmi, popularly known as Succo, former PDP State Youth Leader and Publicity Secretary; Princess Adejoke Ganiyat Sanni, former Ogun Central Senatorial Woman Leader; Mrs. Funke Oyekan; Hon. Ahmed Muiz Oladimeji; and Hon. Taofeek Ogunjimi.
Others, according to him, include Mrs. Mojisola Fatoki; Mrs. Ajoke Salau Maradona, former two-term PDP chairman in Ewekoro; Hon. Taofeek Ejalonibu; Hon. Duro Azeez; Hon. Okiki Ogundele; Hon. Wasiu Alabi; Amos Olushola Robinson; Hon. Oluyemi Kayode; Hon. Saburi Adebayo; and Gabana Ugbah Augustine.
In Ogun East, Odunaro named former local government chairmen, serving and former lawmakers, former aspirants and party executives among those who have allegedly moved into the APC.
They include Hon. Daisi Akintan; Hon. Damilare Bello; Hon. Lukmon Adeleye; Hon. Seun Adesanya; Asiwaju Oluwaseun Tosin; Hon. Ayorinde Fabregas; Hon. Yomi Solanke; Hon. Kehinde Alaka; Mr. Olawale Kolawole (OLACASH); and Adesola Ajayi.
Also listed are Prince Lukman Ajomale, former PDP State Youth Leader and Director of Mobilisation; Alhaji Abayomi Fowosire; Mrs. Bose Oduneye; Mr. Badmus Busari; Prince Gbenga Oluyemi; Prince Mogaji Dele Ajayi; Dr. Niyi Osoba; Prince Akin Onalaja; Prince Ade Alatishe; Deacon Biyi Amu; Otunba Tope Tokoya; and Michael Olowoporoku.
Odunaro recalled that even before the APC governorship primary, some prominent PDP figures, including the party’s former state chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, and former PDP governorship candidate and 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, had moved into the APC.
He described the steady influx as an indication that the 2027 contest in Ogun State was already witnessing a significant political realignment.
Odunaro said Adeola had been assuring the defecting politicians and their supporters of proper integration into the APC structure at the ward, local government and state levels.
According to him, the senator has insisted that existing APC leaders in affected areas participate in meetings with the new members to ensure that the integration process is transparent and inclusive.
Quoting Adeola, Odunaro said: “Be rest assured that you are fully accepted into our party as full members with equal rights of membership. My philosophy of party affairs and governance is that of inclusion and sense of belonging for all. I will never take your sacrifices and support for granted as we work toward a better Ogun State of our dream.”
The APC governorship candidate, according to Odunaro, has also disclosed that arrangements are underway for the formal declaration of the new APC members at a convenient date before the commencement of full political campaigns.
Odunaro said the development represented a significant boost to the APC’s preparations for the 2027 election, insisting that the growing coalition around Adeola had altered the political equation in Ogun State.
He maintained that the senator’s growing support across the three senatorial districts would make the 2027 governorship election a major contest, as more political actors continue to realign ahead of the commencement of full campaigns.
