A major political shift on Saturday hit Oluyole Local Government Area in Oyo State, as tens of members from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The wave of defections, which began in Ward 9, was led by the top leaders of both opposition parties.

The new members were formally received into the APC fold at the Olomi headquarters of the PBAT-KO Grassroots Movement.

The movement was founded by Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, the former chairman of Oluyole Local Government and an aspirant for the Oluyole Federal Constituency.

Welcoming the new members, the APC Chairman in Oluyole, Dotun Oladipupo, assured them of immediate and full recognition within the party structure.

He commended Mr Olaosebikan for his uncommon commitment, loyalty, and leadership.

Mr Oladipupo noted that the party was impressed by Mr Olaosebikan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the APC, especially since he did not secure the ticket to contest the House of Representatives seat.

“As a party, we are deeply impressed by the actions of Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, who has successfully won over members of rival parties despite not being on the ballot himself.

“This confirms his political strength and popularity in Oluyole; only a politician who is truly loved and trusted can win followers for the party after a setback in securing a ticket,” Mr Oladipupo stated.

The party chairman added that they were not surprised by Mr Olaosebikan’s maturity, noting that he had accepted the party’s decisions without rancour in 2019, 2023, and the current cycle.

“With his priority placed firmly on the peace and progress of the party, he will undoubtedly reap bountiful rewards from the APC in the near future,” Mr Oladipupo added.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Chief Adeolu Adesola, the APM leader for Ward 9, praised Mr Olaosebikan’s leadership.

“We were formerly in darkness, but we want to appreciate our leader, Mr Kehinde Olaosebikan, for taking us out of darkness and into the light.

“He has been our great leader and a good egbon for a long time. He is always approachable, caring, trustworthy, dependable, and a man of the people.

“Politics aside, Call me Kenny is universally loved and respected across Oluyole and beyond,” Mr Adesola said.

Reacting to the mobilisation, Mr Olaosebikan stated that Nigeria is already regaining its leadership status in Africa and beyond under the current administration.

He asserted that President Bola Tinubu remains the best among all presidential choices and deserves to win convincingly.

“Looking at his antecedents in Lagos, we are assured that he will leave Nigeria far better than he met it.

“Just as he did in Lagos, he will hand over power to the best and most qualified person, who, in the spirit of equity, should come from the North.

“After his tenure, Tinubu handed Lagos State over to Raji Fashola. Years later, Lagos remains the model for sustainable development in Nigeria,” Mr Olaosebikan said. 

(NAN)