Politics
2019: Why Accord Loses Member to APC at Oyo Assembly
A member of Oyo State House of Assembly, elected under the platform of the Accord Party (AP) has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Announcing his defection on the floor of the House on Thursday prior to the presentation of the proposed 2018 appropriation bill by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to the Assembly, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji representing Akinyele State Constituency l cited the landmark achievements of the present administration in the state, as reason for his action.
Also justifying his defection, Oyebamiji blamed his action on the factional crisis within the party which he claimed has made his stay in the Accord Party extremely difficult. “Accord has been fractionalized and its leadership defected to the Peoples Democratic Party”.
Speaking further, the lawmaker under personal explanation titled ‘My transition from Accord to All Progressives Congress said, “I wish to state that the only permanent thing in life is change. The holy Bible says there is a time for everything on earth and a purpose for every action. There is dynamism, even in nature, hence nothing remains rigid in life.
“As a politician, a real politician, a natural and traditional politician, a scientific politician, I have the vision of contributing my own quota to the welfare and development of my people in my immediate and extended community.
“To realize this vision, I contested and won election into House of Assembly in 2015 under Accord. In the time of electioneering campaign, so many promises were made to the electorate. We promised infrastructural development, improved agricultural activities, improved education system, available and affordable healthcare services, job opportunities for the youths, women empowerment and women emancipation, improved economy activities which are beyond my singular effort to fulfill.
” When the 8th Assembly was inaugurated on June 10, 2015, Accord did not form the majority as you all know. Consequently, Accord has not been able to have significant impact on governance in the state. In the present dispensation, Accord has been fractionalized and its leadership defected to the Peoples Democratic Party as we are all aware.
Oyebamiji continued, “I have a dream. A dream to be useful to my people, a dream to transform the villages to town, the rural areas to urban. A dream for self actualization and self fulfilment. I need a place where the dream can come to past. I have, however come to realise that the present government in Oyo State, our pacesetter state ably led by our amiable, our father, the Koseleri of Africa, Governor Sen. Abiola Ajimobi who has delivered the dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State. There has been peace and security in all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State. The government is doing her possible best in the area of welfare of the people. There has been massive infrastructural development in all major cities.
“Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State has been given a facelift which has led to the attraction of foreign investors to the state. Mr. Speaker sir, all these landmark achievements incidentally align with my vision for joining politics. Hence, I have no option than to join the winning team.
” I therefore, wish to unequivocally declare for All Progressives Congress, APC. I belief this will afford me more opportunity to serve my people and the entire state”, he submitted.
Surprisingly, as the lawmaker announced his decampment, jubilation started in every nook and cranny of the House. With the defection, Oyo Assembly membership of All Progressives Congress, APC has now increased to 19 while the Accord Party, AP has 7 members and Labour Party, LP maintained its 6 members respectively
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
-
Politics3 days agoIbarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
-
Politics1 week agoMakinde: My Successor Must Be Loyal to Oyo, Not Me
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Former Oyo Deputy Governor Adeyemo Emerges APC Chairman (See Full List)
-
Politics1 week agoFintiri Dumps PDP for APC, Moves with Cabinet, 14 Adamawa Lawmakers