Oyo state political climate witnessed a major realignment on Thursday as the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement Nigeria (APM), Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, and the party’s candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria , Engr. Akeem Olatunji, formally received scores of defectors from the All Progressive Congress (APC), Accord and the African Democratic Congress(ADC) into the party.
The colourful event, which took place at Olomi area of Oluyole Local Government, also had party leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market stakeholders, women groups and supporters from across the local government in attendance.
The development according to party faithful at the event reflect what they described as the growing influence of the APM ahead of forthcoming local government and general elections in the state.
The defectors, who arrived in large numbers dressed in branded T-shirts, pledged their loyalty to the APM and expressed confidence in the party’s capacity to provide purposeful leadership and responsive governance for the people of Oyo State.
Speaking at the event, the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekambi, described the influx of members from rival political parties as a clear indication that the electorate desire sustainability of the good governance in the state under the leadership of governor Seyi Makinde.
Adekambi, who commended Olatunji for his grassroots appeal and popularity, assured the new members of equal opportunities within the party structure.
He also urged them to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation and the party’s collective vision of delivering quality representation and good governance.
He vowed to sustain and consolidate on the gains of what was described as a pervasive socioeconomic transformation across all the geopolitical zones of the state.
The chairman, Central Campaign Council for Oluyole federal constituency in the forthcoming 2027 general election and Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola Olawale Jagaban AbdulMajeed, welcomed the defectors and charged them to work tirelessly towards strengthening the party’s structures across the state.
Mogbonjubola noted that the increasing number of political stakeholders joining the APM was evidence of growing public confidence in the party’s ideology and leadership under the guidance of governor Makinde.
He assured that with dedication and collective efforts of party members and stakeholders, APM would deliver on all of its candidates from top to bottom.
The host of the event and APM House of Representatives candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, expressed appreciation to the new entrants for choosing the party, assuring them that their decision would not be regretted.
He said the development represented a significant boost to the party’s grassroots network in Oluyole and would further enhance efforts aimed at expanding the APM’s political reach across the constituency.
The gathering was attended by several prominent political figures, including the Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke, and the PDP State Secretary, Hon.Oyelami Joel.
Also present were the APM candidates for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Hon. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo and Oluyole State Constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Waheed Akintayo Ilumoka Presenter ; former Council Chairman, Hon. Popoola Olaide Settle Olaide; Vice Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Niyi Akorede; and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Oluyole Federal Constituency Matters, Hon. Olumide Akinlade.
Others in attendance included the Chairman of APM in Oluyole Local Government, Alhaji Nasiru Hamzat, as well as traditional rulers led by the Baale of Oleyo, Chief Kabiru Olajide.
The defectors were led by notable political figures from their respective parties, including Hon. Wahab Kazeem, who led members of Accord into the APM, and Hon. Lukman Arowolo, who coordinated the movement of ADC members into the party.
Also lending their support to the APM grassroots mobilization in Oluyole were market leaders led by the Oluyole Babaloja-General, Chief Mukaila Olalere, alongside other market executives, while the Chief Imam of Oluyole, Alhaji Taliat Abdul Azeez, offered prayers for peace, unity and political stability in the state.
Party faithful, ward chairmen, community stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups, market men and women, as well as youth representatives, were among the large crowd that witnessed the defection.
