Five members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.
The defectors are Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East), Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Omirin Olusanya (Ijesa South Federal Constituency), Wole Oke (Ijesa North Federal Constituency), and Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central Federal Constituency). They were received into the APC alongside thousands of their supporters at a gathering held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, who welcomed the defectors, said their decision would strengthen the APC’s structure and enhance its chances in future elections.
He stated that the APC remains a united political family and expressed confidence that the new members would contribute meaningfully to the party’s objective of reclaiming Osun State in the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
Oyetola also commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects have laid what he described as a solid foundation for national development. He urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of both the 2026 governorship poll and the 2027 presidential election.
Also speaking, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, said the defection of the federal lawmakers would further strengthen the party’s structure across the state. He assured new members of equal access to political opportunities, stressing that the party does not discriminate based on the time of entry.
Similarly, the APC governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, called for unity among party leaders, youths, women and grassroots mobilisers. He said cohesion within the party would be critical to securing victory in the forthcoming elections.
In his remarks, Senator Fadahunsi expressed appreciation to the people of Osun East for electing him to serve two terms in the Senate. He described the defection as a carefully considered decision taken in consultation with political associates and stakeholders.
According to him, the move was driven by the need to align with a platform that would better represent the interests of Osun East and advance development priorities in the state. He said the decision was not borne out of resentment but out of a desire for fair partnership and strengthened political collaboration.
Fadahunsi acknowledged the role the PDP played in his political journey, noting that the party provided the platform on which he and others were elected. However, he said leadership sometimes requires difficult decisions in pursuit of broader goals.
He cited ongoing federal projects in Osun State, including road dualisation projects and the establishment of federal institutions, as indicators of what he described as growing federal commitment to the state. He added that deeper collaboration with the APC-led Federal Government would further enhance development efforts in Osun East and beyond.
The senator maintained that the defection represents a new phase of political engagement aimed at consolidating infrastructure development, expanding educational and healthcare institutions, empowering youths and small businesses, and strengthening governance at the grassroots level.
The event concluded with party leaders reiterating their commitment to unity and mobilisation ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State and the 2027 general elections.
