Over 300 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, pledging their support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors joined the APC on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a four-in-one political programme in Odeda, which featured a local government party meeting, reception of defectors, unveiling of the local government campaign council and a declaration of support for the party’s five candidates.
The event attracted prominent APC leaders, including Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (OMOYAYI), representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, and the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide. Other party leaders from across Ogun State were also present.
The defectors were led by Hon. Mukaila Arijo, a PDP stalwart, and Hon. Kashimawo Sabiu, a Labour Party leader, alongside members of the ADC.
Speaking at the event, APC Chairman in Odeda Local Government, Hon. Musulumi Saka, welcomed the new members and urged them to familiarise themselves with the party’s constitution, principles and rules.
Saka assured the defectors of equal opportunities and fair treatment, stressing that their decision to join the APC would further strengthen the party’s grassroots structure in Odeda.
He said the party expected both old and new members to work together in unity, respect its rules and contribute meaningfully to its political objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.
Salisu rallies support for APC’s five candidates
Senator Salisu urged party members and the new defectors to remain united and mobilise support for the APC’s five candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) and Hon. Olumide Osoba were not physically present at the meeting, Salisu conveyed their messages and called on party faithful to support the candidates across the different levels of government.
The five candidates are President Tinubu, seeking re-election; Senator Adeola, the APC’s governorship candidate in Ogun State; Senator Salisu, seeking re-election to represent Ogun Central Senatorial District; Hon. Olumide Osoba, the party’s candidate for Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency; and Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, seeking re-election to represent Odeda State Constituency.
Salisu urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and communicate the achievements of the APC-led federal government to residents, highlighting infrastructure projects across the South-West, including the Ibadan–Abeokuta Road.
He called for a united effort to secure victory for all five candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Sanyaolu inaugurates campaign council, subcommittee chairmen
Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, who represented the Director-General of the Presidential and Ogun State Campaign Council, performed the inauguration of the subcommittee chairmen of the Odeda Local Government Campaign Council.
The inauguration formed part of efforts to strengthen the party’s campaign machinery and establish clear responsibilities for coordinating mobilisation activities across the local government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the newly inaugurated subcommittee chairmen, Sanyaolu urged them to demonstrate commitment, discipline and effective leadership in carrying out their respective assignments.
He said: “The inauguration of these subcommittee chairmen marks an important step in strengthening our campaign structure in Odeda. Each person appointed has a responsibility to deliver on the mandate entrusted to them. We must work as a united team, remain committed to the party’s objectives and ensure effective grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Sanyaolu further urged the committee members to work collaboratively with the campaign council leadership, party executives and grassroots stakeholders to ensure coordinated activities across the local government.
He stressed that the success of the campaign would depend on dedication, cooperation and the ability of each committee to reach party members and residents at the grassroots.
Adeyemo charges campaign committees with responsibility
The Chairman of Odeda Local Government and the chairman of the Odeda Local Government Campaign Council, Dr Folasade Adeyemo, PhD, also addressed the newly inaugurated subcommittee chairmen, emphasising the need for commitment, cooperation and effective execution of their responsibilities.
Adeyemo urged the appointees to see their appointments as a call to service and to work diligently towards strengthening the APC’s political structure in the local government.
She said: “This responsibility requires commitment, unity and a clear understanding of the tasks assigned to each committee. I urge all the subcommittee chairmen to work together, maintain effective communication and demonstrate the dedication required to achieve our collective objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.”
The council chairman also called on party leaders and members to sustain harmonious working relationships, avoid internal divisions and focus on building a stronger and more united APC in Odeda.
Elemide welcomes defectors
Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide commended the defectors for joining the APC and encouraged them to contribute to the party’s growth and electoral success.
He stressed that the strength of a political party depended on the commitment of its members and urged the new entrants to work with existing party structures to advance the APC’s objectives.
Similarly, PDP leader Mukaila Arijo and Labour Party leader Hon. Sunday Bitrus expressed their readiness to work with the APC leadership and mobilise their supporters for the party’s candidates in 2027. Representatives of the ADC and its youth wing also pledged their commitment to the party’s activities.
The programme ended with renewed calls for unity, stronger grassroots engagement and coordinated mobilisation across Odeda Local Government Area as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
