The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, structure in Ogun State is facing imminent collapse ahead of the 2027 general election, following a wave of mass defections of key leaders and supporters to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The development gained momentum after the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race.
Political observers and defectors cited several factors for the movement: Senator Adeola’s track record of massive infrastructural projects and empowerment programmes across Ogun West; growing discontent over the prospect of an Iperu indigene succeeding another Iperu man after 8 years; and the protracted internal crisis and court litigations rocking the PDP, which they said has left the party without a clear leadership structure.
For over a month, Senator Adeola has received delegations of top PDP politicians from across the three senatorial districts who have pledged support for his gubernatorial ambition and formally joined the APC.
In Ogun West, several PDP chieftains have pitched their tents with the APC.
From Imeko/Afon LGA: Chief Adesina Adejobi, PDP Apex leader and Lisa of Imeko and former Commissioner; Mrs. Beere Ayodele Mujidat Balogun, former House of Representatives candidate and ex-PDP Director of Women Affairs; Hon. Lati Olorode, PDP leader and State Apex member; Otunba Ogunrinde Adebisi, former PDP State Ex-Officio; and Chief Ayinla Ogunleye.
From Yewa North: Hon. Titus Soji Eweje, Asuje, two-term LGA Chairman and 2027 House of Reps hopeful; Chief Mrs. Kemi Adeyemi, former PDP State Woman Leader; Mrs. Iyabo Akinbo, former Ogun West Senatorial Woman Leader; Chief Opeifa Samuel, former Assistant Youth Leader; Elder Fatosin Taiwo, former Assistant State Secretary; Prince Bamidele Adeyanju, former 2023 House of Assembly candidate; Alhaja Oritoke Ige, former Deputy Chairman, Imeko Afon LGA; and Mr. Opeifa Johnson, former Assistant State Financial Secretary.
In Yewa South: Chief Sunmonu Adewale, former Chairman; Omoba Segun Adewale, OSA, PDP Apex leader, former governorship aspirant and 2023 LADO Communications Director; Chief Abraham Adeleye, Chairman, Yewa South PDP Leaders Forum; Alhaji Taiwo Saminu, 2023 LADO Campaign Coordinator; Chief Olaseni Salako, former House of Reps aspirant; Alhaja Modupe Yusuf, PDP Apex State member; and Alhaji Sheriff Adeosun, PDP leader and Chairman, LADO Riders.
Ado-Odo/Ota also recorded major exits: High Chief Ganiyu Dada, 2023 Ogun West Senatorial candidate; Prince Adewale Adeyanju, former House of Reps and Chairmanship aspirant; Olalekan Waliyu Alli-Akinde, former House of Assembly aspirant; and Otunba Ahmed Jinadu, 2027 House of Assembly aspirant.
In Ipokia: Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, former PDP Publicity Secretary; Hon. Joel Bandele, Ipokia Youth Leader; Alhaji Ghazali Aloko, former Chairmanship candidate; Araba Ogunyanju, former Vice Chairman, Idiroko Ward; and Chief Isiaka Akin Olaniyan, former Ward Chairman, Agosasa.
Ogun Central has also seen prominent PDP figures move to the APC, citing Senator Adeola’s achievements and promises.
They include: Hon. Taiwo Akinlabi, former PDP Chairman, Ogun Central; Comrade Oyejide Sunkanmi, Succo, PDP State Youth Leader and lead party witness in 2023; Princess Adejoke Ganiyat Sanni, Ogun Central Woman Leader; Mrs. Funke Oyekan, Abeokuta North Woman Leader; Hon. Ahmed Muiz Oladimeji and Hon. Taofeek Ogunjimi, both Abeokuta North Assembly aspirants.
Others: Mrs. Mojisola Fatoki, Assistant State Secretary; Mrs. Ajoke Salau Maradona, two-term Ewekoro Chairman; Hon. Taofeek Ejalonibu; Hon. Duro Azeez, 2023 Ewekoro Assembly candidate; Hon. Okiki Ogundele, 2023 Ifo II Assembly candidate; Hon. Wasiu Alabi, Ward 16 Leader; Amos Olushola Robinson, Ifo PDP Auditor; Hon. Oluyemi Kayode, Ifo Youth Leader; Hon. Saburi Adebayo; and Gabana Ugbah Augustine, Ifo Ex-Officio.
In Ogun East, the list includes serving and former lawmakers and party executives: Hon. Daisi Akintan, former LG Chairman; Hon. Damilare Bello, Sagamu Assembly member; Hon. Lukmon Adeleye, Odogbolu Assembly member; Hon. Seun Adesanya, Ijebu North East Assembly member; Asiwaju Oluwaseun Tosin, former Ijebu North East Chairman; Hon. Ayorinde Fabregas, former Assembly candidate; Hon. Yomi Solanke, former Ikenne Chairman; Hon. Kehinde Alaka, Apex Council member; Mr. Olawale Kolawole, OLACASH, 2023 Assembly aspirant; and Adesola Ajayi, former Odogbolu Woman Leader.
Other notable defectors: Prince Lukman Ajomale, former State Youth Leader; Alhaji Abayomi Fowosire, former NRC Deputy Gov candidate; Mrs. Bose Oduneye, former Ijebu North Woman Leader; Prince Gbenga Oluyemi, former ADC Deputy Gov candidate; Prince Mogaji Dele Ajayi, former LG Chairman; Dr. Niyi Osoba, former Ijebu Ode Chairman; Prince Akin Onalaja and Prince Ade Alatishe; Deacon Biyi Amu, former Vice Chairman, Ijebu Ode; Otunba Tope Tokoya, two-term Council Chairman; and Michael Olowoporoku, two-time Assembly aspirant.
Even before the APC primary, key PDP figures including State Chairman Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele and Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, AAA, former 2023 governorship and deputy governorship candidate, had already abandoned the party.
Senator Adeola, who has been the rallying point for the defections, has assured all new members of full integration into APC structures from ward level upwards.
“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,” Senator Adeola told each delegation.
Party officials from the affected areas have been present at the meetings to guarantee inclusion.
The Senator disclosed that arrangements are being made for an official declaration ceremony for the new APC members ahead of the commencement of full political campaigns for 2027.