Five members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, signalling a major political shift ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The defectors – Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), alongside House of Representatives members Omirin Olusanya, Wole Oke, and Taofeek Ajilesoro – were received by party leaders, members and supporters at a gathering in Osogbo on Saturday.
Addressing party faithful, the former governor of the state and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, described the development as a boost to the APC’s strength and unity in the state.
He said the party remained a united family where new entrants would not be treated as outsiders, stressing that the defections would reinforce the APC’s determination to reclaim Osun and restore what he termed “dignity to governance.”
“We are gathered not just to receive our new members, but to affirm a shared conviction – that the sure path to prosperity, stability and visionary leadership lies in the All Progressives Congress,” Oyetola stated.
The minister also commended the performance of President Bola Tinubu, asserting that his administration had laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s economic and institutional rebirth. He used the occasion to publicly endorse Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
According to him, continuity at the federal level would help consolidate ongoing reforms and secure long-term prosperity for the country.
Turning to state politics, Oyetola urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election in Osun. He charged supporters to return to their wards and polling units to canvass support for the APC, emphasising unity, hard work and discipline as critical to electoral success.
“Our mission is clear: reclaim Osun and return it to serious, people-focused governance,” he said, promising improved schools, functional hospitals, durable infrastructure and transparent governance under an APC-led administration.
The Osun State APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, described the defection as a strategic gain for the party. He expressed confidence that the move would strengthen the APC’s chances in both the 2026 governorship election and the 2027 presidential contest.
Lawal assured the new members of equal access to political opportunities, regardless of when they joined the party, noting that inclusiveness remained a core tradition of the APC.
Similarly, the APC governorship candidate in Osun, Bola Oyebamiji, called for internal cohesion as the election cycle approaches. He urged party leaders, youths, women and grassroots mobilisers to maintain solidarity in pursuit of what he described as growth, accountability and inclusive development for the state.
Observers say the defection of five federal lawmakers from the PDP to the APC could reshape political alignments in Osun, intensifying competition ahead of the 2026 governorship race and the 2027 general elections.