Defection wave hits APC, Accord, ADC as APM gains members in Oluyole

By Adejayan Gbenga

The political landscape in Oyo State witnessed a fresh realignment on Thursday as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) received scores of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oluyole Local Government Area.

The defection event, held in Olomi, attracted the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekambi, the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, party leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market stakeholders, women groups and supporters. The defectors pledged loyalty to the party, expressing confidence in its ability to provide purposeful leadership and responsive governance in the state.

Addressing the gathering, Adekambi described the influx of members from rival political parties as a sign that many residents wanted the continuation of what he called the good governance being delivered under Gov. Seyi Makinde. He also commended Olatunji for his grassroots appeal and assured the new members of equal opportunities within the party.

The governorship candidate urged the defectors to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation and work toward achieving the party’s vision of quality representation and good governance. He also pledged to build on what he described as the socioeconomic transformation already recorded across Oyo State.

Chairman of the Central Campaign Council for the Oluyole Federal Constituency and Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, welcomed the new members and encouraged them to strengthen the party’s structures across the state. He said the increasing number of political stakeholders joining the APM reflected growing public confidence in the party’s leadership and ideology.

According to Mogbonjubola, unity and commitment among members would position the party to secure victory for all its candidates in future elections. Olatunji, who hosted the event, thanked the defectors for joining the party and assured them they would not regret their decision.

He said the latest defections would significantly strengthen the party’s grassroots network in Oluyole and expand its political influence across the constituency. The event was attended by several political figures, including Oyo PDP Deputy Chairman Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke, PDP State Secretary Hon. Oyelami Joel, APM senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Hon. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, and other party leaders.

Traditional rulers led by the Baale of Oleyo, Chief Kabiru Olajide, market leaders headed by the Oluyole Babaloja-General, Chief Mukaila Olalere, and the Chief Imam of Oluyole, Alhaji Taliat Abdul Azeez, also attended the gathering. The defectors were led by Hon. Wahab Kazeem, who coordinated the movement of Accord members into the APM, and Hon. Lukman Arowolo, who led members of the ADC into the party, alongside party faithful, ward chairmen, youth representatives and community leaders from across the local government.