ABEOKUTA — The political landscape in Ogun State is witnessing a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a growing number of prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and grassroots mobilisers crossing over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
The development, according to the Media Adviser to the APC governorship candidate, Chief Kayode Odunaro, has significantly weakened the PDP’s political structure across Ogun West, Ogun Central and Ogun East.
In a statement on Sunday, Odunaro attributed the wave of defections to Adeola’s growing political influence, his record of infrastructural interventions and empowerment programmes, as well as the belief among several opposition politicians that the APC currently offers a stronger platform ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said the movement gained further momentum following Adeola’s emergence as the APC consensus governorship candidate, noting that several PDP leaders and their supporters had since held meetings with the senator and expressed their readiness to work with him.
According to Odunaro, the realignment cuts across the three senatorial districts, with former candidates, local government chairmen, party executives, political aspirants and other influential grassroots politicians among those who have moved into the APC.
He said Adeola’s development initiatives and empowerment programmes had played a major role in attracting opposition politicians, while internal disputes and lingering litigation within the PDP had also contributed to uncertainty among its members.
Odunaro further pointed to the political argument against the possibility of another eight-year governorship administration emerging from Iperu, the hometown of the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, who is currently serving his second term.
He said the combination of these factors had created a new political equation in Ogun State, with the PDP losing key grassroots structures to the APC.
Ogun West
In Ogun West, Adeola’s home senatorial district, Odunaro listed several former and serving PDP figures who, according to him, have aligned 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.
From Yewa North, he listed 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.
From Yewa South, the names include 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; Hon. Joel Bamidele; and Alhaji Sheriff Adeosun.
In Ado-Odo/Ota, Odunaro named High Chief Ganiyu Dada, former PDP Ogun West senatorial candidate; Prince Adewale Adeyanju; Olalekan Waliyu Alli-Akinde; and Otunba Ahmed Jinadu.
He also listed Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, former PDP publicity secretary and campaign spokesman; Hon. Joel Bandele; Alhaji Ghazali Aloko; Araba Ogunyanju; and Chief Isiaka Akin Olaniyan from Ipokia.
Ogun Central
Odunaro said the political realignment had equally taken firm root in Ogun Central.
Among those he named 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 Oyenekan; Hon. Ahmed Muiz Oladimeji; and Hon. Taofeek Ogunjimi.
Others 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.
Ogun East
The movement, according to Odunaro, is also gaining ground in Ogun East, where former local government chairmen, lawmakers, aspirants and party leaders are said to have joined the APC.
Those listed include Hon. Daisi Akintan; Asiwaju Oladapo Odumosu; Hon. Rotimi Okenla; 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.
Others 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.
More Realignments Ahead
Odunaro noted that the movement predates the APC governorship primary, recalling that prominent PDP figures, including former state chairman Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele and former PDP governorship candidate and 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, had earlier joined the APC.
He described the continued defections as evidence of a broader political realignment ahead of 2027, saying the movement was gradually changing the balance of political forces across the state.
He added that Adeola had continued to assure new members and their supporters of full integration into the APC structure at the ward, local government and state levels.
According to him, the senator has directed that existing APC leaders in the affected areas be carried along in meetings with new members to ensure that the integration process remains transparent, inclusive and mutually beneficial.
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.”
Odunaro further disclosed that arrangements were underway for the formal reception of the new members into the APC at a convenient date before the commencement of full political campaigns.
He said the growing coalition around Adeola had given the APC a significant boost and altered the political calculations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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