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.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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