Governor Dapo Abiodun has charged hundreds of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District to mobilise support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun gave the charge on Friday while receiving the defectors at an elaborate ceremony held at the Ojude-Oba carnival ground in Ijebu-Ode.
The new members, drawn from the nine local government areas in Ogun East, included former party leaders and political office aspirants who said they were attracted to the APC by the performance of the state government.
Welcoming the defectors, Abiodun said their decision to join the ruling party showed that they had recognised the achievements of his administration. He assured them that they would be treated equally and fully integrated into the APC.
The governor urged the new members to return to their respective wards and commence grassroots mobilisation, expressing confidence that the APC would retain its dominance in Ogun State in 2027.
Abiodun used the occasion to highlight infrastructure projects executed by his administration since 2019, particularly in Ogun East. He said more than 100 roads had been constructed across the senatorial district, with about 26 of them located in Ijebu-Ode.
He also listed the Gateway International Airport, Olokola Deep Sea Port, Olokola-Kajola Gas Industrial Free Zone, oil exploration activities in Ogun Waterside and several road projects among initiatives expected to boost the state’s economy.
The governor further announced that the reconstruction of the Ago-Iwoye–Ibadan Road would be flagged off on Monday alongside the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, describing the project as one secured with the support of President Bola Tinubu.
He said other road projects awarded by his administration included the Ilishan–Ago-Iwoye–Ijebu-Igbo Road, Okun-Owa Road, Aiyepe–Odogbolu Road and Ikenne–Aiyepe Road.
Abiodun also expressed confidence that Ogun would soon join Nigeria’s oil-producing states, saying the development of the Olokola Deep Sea Port and revival of the OKNLG project would further transform Ogun East.
On the 2027 elections, the governor said the APC’s record in infrastructure and economic development had strengthened its position against opposition parties. He also expressed confidence that voters across the South-West would support President Bola Tinubu in the presidential election.
The Ogun State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, attributed the growing movement of opposition members into the APC to the performance of the Abiodun administration. He assured the new members that they would enjoy equal rights and privileges within the party.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former PDP member Oladapo Odumosu said the government’s performance and Abiodun’s accommodating disposition influenced their decision to join the APC.
Another defector, Rotimi Okenla, who contested the Ogun State House of Assembly election on the PDP platform in 2019, said he decided to leave the opposition after 17 years because of what he described as the performance and inclusiveness of the Abiodun administration.
The defectors pledged their loyalty to the APC and promised to mobilise voters and work for the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.
