No fewer than 200 former Ward Councillors who served during the two-term administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State.
The defection, which took place in Ibadan, the state capital, marks a significant political development as political parties intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to one of the defectors, the move was facilitated by two prominent political mobilisers, Hon. Adeyemo Abass, popularly known as Adebass, and Hon. Afolabi Oyegbola.
He explained that their decision to join the APM was motivated by their determination to support the party’s candidates across the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde and Bimbo Adekanmbi ahead of the 2027 elections.
While formally presenting the defectors to the gathering, Hon. Adebass and Hon. Oyegbola described the task of resetting Nigeria and building a more prosperous Oyo State as a collective responsibility requiring the commitment and active participation of all stakeholders.
They expressed confidence in the APM as a political platform through which good governance, inclusive development and people-oriented programmes could be advanced.
The two political mobilisers also described the former Ward Councillors as experienced grassroots politicians with established community connections, proven political experience and a strong commitment to the development of Oyo State.
They expressed confidence that the decision of the former councillors to join the APM would further strengthen the party’s grassroots presence and mobilisation capacity across the state.
The defectors were jointly received by the Balogun Bobajiroro of Orile-Igbon, Otunba Seye Famojuro, a close ally of Governor Seyi Makinde; the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, Hon. Sikiru Sanda; the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Seun Olufade; the Chairman of Olorunsogo Local Government, Hon. Qozeem Olayanju; and the Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, alongside other prominent party leaders.
Speaking on behalf of the party leadership, some of the leaders welcomed the new members into the APM family and assured them of equal opportunities, fairness and full participation in the affairs of the party.
They encouraged the defectors to return to their respective wards and local governments to intensify grassroots mobilisation and attract more supporters to the party.
The leaders also urged them to remain united, committed and dedicated to the collective goal of securing victory for all APM candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
In their separate remarks, the defectors reaffirmed their commitment to the APM, pledging to deploy their wealth of political experience, grassroots networks and mobilisation capacity to strengthen the party’s structures and support its candidates across Oyo State.
The development adds to the ongoing political realignments in Oyo State as political parties intensify grassroots engagement and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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