Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Sikirulai Ogundele, and the party’s 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, on Wednesday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Also defecting were the member representing Abeokuta South State Constituency 1, Luqmon Atobatele; a former member of the House of Assembly, Idowu Olowofuja; a former Chairman of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Rotimi Rahaman; Dr. Mojeed Ekelojumati; and thousands of their supporters who previously aligned with the PDP.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, while receiving the defectors, congratulated them for leaving what he described as “an empty shell and sinking ship” to join the APC.
Abiodun assured them of full integration into the party, promising they would enjoy the same rights, privileges, and respect as existing members.
He expressed delight at the ongoing wave of defections from the PDP to the APC nationwide and urged party members across the 236 wards and at the state level to welcome and cooperate with the new entrants.
“I want to assure you that we will accord you the rights, privileges, and respect that you truly deserve,” he said.
“Today, our brothers have come back home, and we are happy and rejoicing. We are pleased to receive them back into the fold.
“The chairman of the party, a former House of Representatives member, a former governorship candidate who came second in an election I contested, a former deputy governorship candidate, a serving member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Deputy Minority Leader, a former council chairman, former commissioner, and former ALGON chairman—the list is endless. We are all here today, happily welcoming them.
“Akinlade said something important: they didn’t just come here to declare today; they have gone to their various wards, they declared at their respective wards—they joined from the bottom up, not from the top down, because they are seasoned politicians.”
In his remarks, Akinlade stated that he and his team had decamped to the APC to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and the country at large.
The former Allied People’s Movement (APM) governorship candidate in 2019 urged other opposition parties to join the APC and expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for accepting them into the ruling party.
“All I can say is to thank our leader, our amiable governor. What I’ve seen in the past few months is the dignity with which he received us. It takes only great men to be gracious in victory.
“Today, we are not just decamping; this is a movement. We have moved en masse back home—we left no one behind—because we believe in the leadership of our governor and the leadership of our party at both state and national levels.
“We are here to support you, Your Excellency. We are here to support the party. We are here to commit our loyalty to you and the APC,” he said.
On his part, Ogundele stated that their defection would yield positive results for the APC in Ogun State.
He disclosed that their decision was based on the visible achievements of Governor Abiodun in the state and those of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the national level.
“We, the responsible members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM), are progressively moving en masse into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“What we are doing here today is historic. I want to re-echo it: the most responsible PDP members from all 236 wards in Ogun State have moved en masse,” he said.
Earlier, Luqmon Atobatele praised Governor Abiodun for his inclusive leadership style, which he said recognises everyone as part of a team.
“If you don’t know Governor Dapo Abiodun very well, try to get to know him. As an Honourable member, what he has done for each of us, no governor has ever done before in the history of this state.
“So far, I’ve conducted 88 free surgeries for people in my constituency. Around February, 40 medical doctors came from the United States. I wrote just a letter to Governor Abiodun, and he provided 40 hotel rooms, transportation, and security.
“He is one of a kind—doing that for an Honourable member from an opposition party. He has truly done well for us in the Ogun State House of Assembly,” he said.
