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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has suffered a fresh wave of defections, with several of its chieftains across the three senatorial districts reportedly joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declaring support for the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
The development, disclosed in a statement by Adeola’s Media Adviser, Kayode Odunaro, on Sunday, comes ahead of the 2027 general elections and could further alter the political landscape in the state.
According to Odunaro, the defectors were attracted to Adeola’s record in infrastructure and empowerment, concerns over zoning of the governorship after eight years of administration from Iperu-Remo, as well as the unresolved leadership crisis within the Ogun PDP.
He said the APC governorship candidate had, over the past month, received delegations of prominent PDP politicians who pledged their support and subsequently joined the ruling party.
In Ogun West, Adeola’s home senatorial district, the defectors listed included Chief Adesina Adejobi, an apex PDP leader; Lati Olorode, an apex member of the party; Kemi Adeyemi, former PDP State Woman Leader; Titus Soji Eweje, former Chairman of Yewa North Local Government and PDP candidate for the House of Representatives in 2027; and Ganiyu Dada.
The statement also named several PDP figures from Ogun Central who have allegedly defected to the APC, including former PDP Chairman in the district, Taiwo Akinlabi; PDP State Youth Leader, Oyejide Sunkanmi; Ogun Central Woman Leader, Princess Adejoke Ganiyat Sanni; Taofeek Ogunjimi, who contested for the state House of Assembly in 2023; and Ahmed Muiz Oladimeji of Abeokuta North.
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From Ogun East, the defectors were said to include Damilare Ilo, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Sagamu; Lukmon Adeleye of Odogbolu; Seun Adesanya of Ijebu North East; former PDP State Youth Leader, Prince Lukman Ajomale; former Ijebu Ode Local Government Chairman, Niyi Osoba; and two-term council chairman, Tope Tokoya.
Odunaro also recalled that former PDP State Chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, and former PDP deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, had earlier defected to the APC.
The latest defections, if sustained, could provide Adeola with additional grassroots political structures across the state as the 2027 contest approaches.
Adeola assured the defectors of full integration into the APC, promising equal rights and participation in the party’s structures.
“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,” he said.
The senator disclosed that arrangements were being made for an official public declaration by the new APC members before the commencement of political campaigns in September.
