The defection of Hammed Taoreed Ademola and Adedapo Ojo to the APC marks a fresh political development in Oyo State, with both politicians citing their reasons for joining the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A fresh wave of political defections has reportedly hit Oyo State following the decision of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and an Accord aspirant to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside hundreds of their supporters.
The defectors, Hon. Hammed Taoreed Ademola, popularly known as Lucky, and Hon. Adedapo Ojo, were said to have formally declared their allegiance to the APC at a gathering held at a private facility along Old Ife Road in Ibadan.
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Ademola, who was identified as the PDP candidate for Ibadan North-East State Constituency II in the 2027 elections, reportedly led supporters out of the opposition party, while Ojo, an aspirant under the Accord platform, also announced his decision to join the APC.
The development comes as political parties intensify their activities and work to consolidate their support bases ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event, Ademola, popularly known as Lucky, said his decision to abandon the PDP followed a careful assessment of the political landscape and his expectations for the forthcoming elections.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s political platform, arguing that it offered a more viable avenue for achieving his political ambitions in 2027.
According to him, his decision followed due diligence and consultations, which convinced him to align with the ruling party.
Ademola also pledged the commitment of his supporters to the APC, expressing readiness to contribute to the party’s activities and electoral campaign.
Ojo, who had previously sought to contest under the Accord platform, also explained his decision, describing his earlier political efforts as unproductive.
He said he had initially hoped to build Accord into a credible alternative in Oyo State but later decided to join the APC after reassessing the political situation.
Ojo urged his supporters to rally behind the APC, expressing confidence in the party’s political platform ahead of the next general elections.
Oyo APC Welcomes New Members
Receiving the defectors, the Oyo State APC chairman, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, assured the new members that they would enjoy equal opportunities within the party.
Adeyemo urged them to work with existing party members to strengthen the APC’s structures and mobilise support for its candidates in the 2027 elections.
He described the forthcoming poll as an opportunity for the party to advance its political agenda and called for unity among members.
The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also welcomed the defectors, describing their decision to join the party as a positive development for its growing political base.
Alli reiterated his commitment to an inclusive administration that would prioritise the welfare of residents, workers and pensioners across the state if elected.
Addressing the gathering, Alli outlined several policy commitments, including the regular payment of salaries and pensions, improved working conditions for civil servants and teachers, and expanded infrastructure across Oyo State.
He also promised to establish a standard information and communication technology (ICT) hub in Ibadan within the first six months of his proposed administration, with similar facilities planned for Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa.
The APC governorship candidate further pledged to ensure a more balanced distribution of infrastructure and basic amenities across the state’s 33 local government areas.
He also promised that each local government would have a well-equipped and adequately staffed general hospital to provide essential healthcare services.
Other party chieftains present at the defection ceremony included the APC deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji, and the party’s Oyo South Senatorial candidate, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, alongside other members.
The reported defection adds another development to the evolving political landscape in Oyo State as parties prepare for the 2027 elections. The extent to which the move will influence party structures and voter support remains to be seen.
