Ogun State Governor and APC leader, Dapo Abiodun has welcomed hundreds of former members of the PDP and ADC from the nine local government areas of Ogun East Senatorial District into the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The defectors were received at an elaborate reception held at the Ojude-Oba carnival ground in Ijebu-Ode, which was filled to capacity with party members, supporters and the new entrants.
Welcoming them, Governor Abiodun said their decision to join the APC showed they had “seen the light”. He assured them of equal treatment and full integration.
“We are happy you have seen the light and you have decided to follow the light. You have become one of us from now on,” he said.
The governor urged both new and existing members to return to their wards and mobilise for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the party would retain dominance in the state.
He attributed the APC’s strength to the administration’s performance since 2019, particularly in infrastructure. According to him, more than 100 roads have been constructed across Ogun East, including about 26 roads in Ijebu-Ode alone.
Projects listed include the Gateway International Airport, major roads, the Olokola Deep Sea Port, the Olokola-Kajola Gas Industrial Free Zone, and oil exploration in Ogun Waterside.
Abiodun announced that the reconstruction of the Ago-Iwoye–Ibadan Road will be flagged off on Monday alongside the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi. He said the road, which runs from Ijebu-Ode through Ago-Iwoye to Ibadan, was secured with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also disclosed that his administration had awarded the reconstruction of the Ilishan–Ago-Iwoye–Ijebu-Igbo Road, Okun-Owa Road, Aiyepe–Odogbolu Road and Ikenne–Aiyepe Road.
“Help me to ask them if they have ever done even a kilometre of road?” he challenged, referring to opposition parties.
The governor said the APC’s record had left the opposition with little to campaign with ahead of 2027. “Anyone just making any baseless noise is just lying to you, because in 2019, they fell, in 2023, they also fell and I am certain that in 2027, they will also fail,” he said.
Abiodun expressed optimism that Ogun would soon join oil-producing states, and said the development of the Olokola Deep Sea Port and revival of the OKNLG project would further transform Ogun East.
He commended President Tinubu for his support to Ogun State, and expressed confidence that the South-West would support the President in 2027 based on his achievements in infrastructure and economic development.
Earlier, Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, attributed the influx of opposition members to the performance of the Abiodun administration. He assured defectors of equal rights and urged more opposition members to join.
Some of the defectors, including former PDP House of Assembly candidate Rotimi Okenla and ex-ADC Chairman Hon. Erinle Opeoluwa, said the governor’s performance and accommodating disposition informed their decision. They pledged loyalty to the APC and promised to work for victory in 2027.
