Politics
Oyo: APC Gains Ground as Oseni Receives Over 1,500 PDP Members, Declares Party Dead in Ido
The lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, on Sunday declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dead in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, following the defection of more than 1,500 of its members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oseni, who is the Chairman, House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the declaration during a colourful reception organised by the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF) to welcome the defectors from all ten wards of the council area into the APC family.
The event, held at his constituency office in Ologuneru, Ibadan, drew a large crowd of party faithful, and community leaders who lauded the lawmaker’s inclusive leadership and grassroots political mobilisation.
Prominent among the defectors were Alhaji Bolaji Nureni Adeoye, Alhaji Akande, Alhaji Rasaki Elewedu, Alhaji Kasali Akande, Alhaji Dauda Afolabi, Hon. Wasiu Ijaoye, Adekola Kasumu, Nureni Adeyeri, Hon. Busari Kolawole, Elder Ogunleye, and Alhaji Lateef Lawal, among others.
In his remarks, Oseni described the defection as the “political burial” of the PDP in Ido Local Government.
“We are doing PDP burial in Ido today,” he said. “Today is Sunday, a holy day. It means God is pleased with what we are doing here.”
The federal lawmaker noted that the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF) had become a strong political force within the APC, driving grassroots mobilisation not only in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, but across Oyo state.
“ROCOF is a moving train in Nigeria’s political history,” the APC chieftain stated. “It is unstoppable. Our mission is clear — come 2027, the APC will reclaim Oyo State and ensure the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Oseni also attributed the rising strength of the APC in his constituency to both the people-oriented policies of the Tinubu-led administration and his own legislative interventions at the grassroots.
“The APC-led Federal Government under President Tinubu has done creditably well. We, as representatives of the people, are complementing those efforts at our level,” he said.
He assured the new entrants of full integration and equal opportunities within the APC structure, noting that they were not strangers in the party and would, in due course, be formally handed over to the party leadership.
“Today, I welcome over 1,500 PDP members to the APC through ROCOF. You are not strangers here; you are home,” Oseni added.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Bolaji Adeoye said the decision to leave the PDP was inspired by the lawmaker’s credible leadership and result-driven representation.
“We are not decampees, we are returnees. We have always been with Hon. Remi Oseni. He is a record breaker and a true representative of the people,” Adeoye said. “I don’t want to remember PDP in my life again.”
Other leaders at the event pledged to mobilise more supporters into the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, describing Oseni as a promise keeper who had redefined representation with tangible results.
Earlier, Alhaji Hakeem Okedina, Senior Legislative Aide to the lawmaker, praised the courage and unity of purpose of the defectors, noting that their decision to align with the APC reflected the ongoing political realignment sweeping through Oyo State.
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.
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