In preparation for the forthcoming general election, the Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is taking no stone untouched as no fewer than 35,000 members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Accord Party in Oyo State joined the progressive folds.
The ranks of the main opposition party in the state swelled up at a “Mega Defection Rally” held at its Oke Ado State Secretariat.
Leaders of the defectors included Engr. Remi Oseni – 2019 ADC gubernatorial aspirant of ADC; Hon. (Dr.) Ajibola Saubana Muraina – three-term serving member House of Reps and former Chairman Ibarapa Central LGA; Asiwaju (Barr.) Yemi Aderibigbe, former Executive Chairman, Akinyele LGA and former Special Adviser to Governors Seyi Makinde and Abiola Ajimobi; Hon. Ademola Omotoso – former Executive Chairman of Ibadan North LGA; Asiwaju Adekola Adeoye – former State Youth Leader of both PDP and ADC; Hon Akeem Okedina – former Chairman of Ido LGA; Chief Michael Adegbite – former state chairman PDP and former executive chairman of Kajola LGA; Hon. Wasiu Emiola – former state secretary Oyo PDP and former member, Oyo SUBEB; Hon. Soji Olaojo – former educational secretary and former state chairman of NNPP; Sir Adigun Olawuwo – former Oyo senatorial chairman of PDP; Hon. Hussein Akinlabi – 2019 ADC House of Rep candidate for Ibarapa Central/North; Alhaji Surakat Busari – former leader of PDP in Akinyele LGA and Hon Femi Ajayi Oye – former leader of PDP in Lagelu LGA.
Speaking at the defection rally, Engr Remi Oseni on behalf of the decampees assured the leaders and members of APC of their total support to ensure that the APC defeat the ruling PDP government in Oyo state by 2023.
Other parties’ top notchers included Chief Olawuwo Adigun – former vice-chairman (South) PDP Oyo State; Hon. Sabitu Moliki former state Ex Officio of PDP; Hon. Gbenga Coker – former State Organising Secretary of Accord Party; Hon. Lukman Adeoye – former Secretary of PDP in Ibarapa East LGA and former State Youth Leader of ADC; Hon, Bola Akinyemi – former State administrative secretary Accord Party and former member of Governing Council, The Polytechnic Ibadan; Hon Suleiman Awujoola – former National Southwest Chairman, Atiku Abubakar organization; and Mrs Hannah Olufunke Babarinde – former federal Constituency Women Leader of PDP Ibarapa North/Central.
Other defected PDP leaders from Ibarapa Central LGA where Rt. Hon. Muraina comes from included Alhaji Abiola Azeez – PDP Chairman for Ibarapa Central; Mrs Toyin Afolabi – Women Leader PDP Ibarapa Central; Hon. Segun Okedeji, former chairman Ibarapa Nort West LCDA, and Hon. Lukmon Uthmon – former PDP state assistant secretary. Other former PDP leaders from the council area that ported to APC are Alhaji Rasaq Olatunde Garai, Chief Segun Adeleye, Chief Isiaka Oladoja, Hon. Olakunle Sunmonu, Mrs. Nike Adegoke, Mr. Bayo Okedokun, Alhaji Najeem Afolabi, Mr. Akanni Oyadiran, Mr. Alani Oguntade, Mrs. Funmilayo Olabiyi, Pastor Gbadebo, and among others.
APC stalwarts who received the decampees include, The Isaac Omodewu led executives, former governor of Oyo State, Barr. Iyiola Oladokun, Senator Representing Oyo Central Senatorial district, Sen. Teslim Folarin, Alhaji Adisa Gbayawu, former majority leader, Hon. Kehinde Subair, Hon. Adigun Murphy, Alhaji Shina Alabi, Akeem Akogun, and a host of others.
