In what appears to be a major realignment in Oyo State’s political landscape ahead of the forthcoming by-election, aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have expressed strong disapproval over alleged imposition of candidates following an unsuccessful primary election in Ibadan North Local Government.
This was as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Oyo state, particularly in Oluyole Local Government have started to receive new wave of defectors into its fold.
In Ward 07 of Oluyole Local Government Area, a large number of APC members officially dumped the APC and joined the ruling PDP on Saturday, July 26.
Recall that the APC primary election ahead of the August 16 by-election has been marred by allegations of irregularities, imposition of candidate, and wide protest by aggrieved members in Ibadan North federal constituency.
These have culminated into the cancelation of the APC primary election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the defection, which comes at a critical time in Oyo State’s political calendar, was driven by dissatisfaction with internal democracy within the APC and what was described as an increasing admiration for the inclusive governance style of the PDP under Governor Seyi Makinde.
The new entrants into the PDP were mobilized through the strategic efforts of Hon. Azeez Babalola, Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji.
Leading the defectors, Hon. Ayuba Ganiyu cited the extraordinary leadership of Governor Makinde and the local adaptation of the governor’s development blueprint by Oluyole Council Chairman, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, as key motivations behind their move.
Ganiyu emphasized that the APC’s internal wrangling, lack of transparency, and imposition of candidates had left many loyal members frustrated.
He noted that in contrast, the PDP’s commitment to grassroots development in areas such as education, healthcare, security, and social welfare as witnessed under Olatunji’s administration in Oluyole LG inspired confidence and hope among grassroots politicians.
At a formal receptipoliticians at Olomi Community Primary School, Asiwaju Olatunji warmly received the defectors and assured them of equal standing within the party.
“There are no new or old members in PDP, everyone is an equal stakeholder in our collective journey to continue delivering good governance under the capable leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde,” Olatunji said.
The defectors were subsequently handed over to Ward 07 PDP Chairman officially, Hon. Mojeed Raji, in the presence of party stalwarts including Alhaji Sulaimon Alayande, who represented the Oluyole PDP Chairman, Alhaji Mukaila Adegbola.
The event was also attended by top party stakeholders including the Oluyole PDP Women Leader, Alhaja Basirat Alao Kengbe; Leader of the Legislative House, Hon. Taofeek Azeez; Ward 07 Councilor, Hon. Ademola Dauda; Supervisory Councilors, Special Assistants, and other grassroots mobilizers.
The mass defection according to Olatunji, aligns with his ongoing ward-to-ward tour embarked upon aimed at deepening party unity, mobilizing support at the grassroots, and solidifying the PDP’s dominance in Oluyole and Oyo state ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
Reacting to the development, PDP members in Oluyole described the influx of defectors as a positive reflection of the party’s increasing grassroots appeal and evidence of public approval of Governor Makinde’s leadership and Asiwaju Olatunji’s governance style.
