2027: Oyo APC ward expels three-term ex-lawmaker Muraina over defection, alleged anti-party activities

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 09, Oke-Iserin, Igboora, in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State, has expelled a three-term former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Saubana Ajibola Muraina.

The expulsion followed his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Muraina, who represented Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency in the House, is now the PDP candidate for the constituency in the 2027 general elections, according to the latest candidate information published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The ward executives announced Muraina’s immediate expulsion after an emergency executive meeting held in Igboora.

The decision was contained in a joint statement signed by the Ward Chairman Mr Fasasi Mustapha and the Ward Secretary Mr Afolabi Abiodun.

The executives accused the former lawmaker of abandoning the APC for the PDP after losing the APC ticket for the federal constituency ahead of the 2027 election.

Muraina’s defection from the APC to the PDP was reported in July, following his loss of the APC ticket to Olaoniye Sarafa Olaito. A 19 July report said Muraina, alongside another APC chieftain, Soliu Lawal Adelodun, had defected to the PDP after losing their respective APC ticket races.

The ward leadership, however, accused Muraina of continuing to parade himself as an APC member despite his defection, describing the alleged conduct as capable of causing confusion and division within the party at ward and local government levels.

The executives said his alleged actions contravened Article 21(A)(ii), (v) and (x) of the APC Constitution, as amended, which provides sanctions for anti-party activities and conduct capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

The statement read in part: “Consequently, Hon Dr Saubana Ajibola Muraina is hereby expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 09, Oke-Iserin, Igboora.

“He ceases to be a member of our party at ward, local government, state and national levels and should no longer be regarded as or paraded as a member or leader of the APC.”

The ward executives said the formal expulsion notice had been transmitted through the local government party chairman to the Oyo State APC chairman for ratification.

They added that the notice would subsequently be forwarded to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja for final action.

Muraina had won elections to the National Assembly in 2007, 2011 and 2019. He later defected from the PDP to the APC in 2022 and contested the 2023 House of Representatives election on the APC platform.