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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ogun APC attracting PDP members daily, says ex-lawmaker

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A former Nigerian lawmaker claims the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is attracting members and structures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.
  • The lawmaker attributes this shift to the growing political coalition around APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
  • He suggests that Adeola's engagement with leaders and grassroots organizers across party lines is expanding the APC's support base ahead of the 2027 election.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State is steadily gaining members and political structures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties, according to a former member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Oladele. Oladele, a chieftain of the APC, stated that this political realignment is driven by the expanding coalition around the APC's governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, widely known as Yayi.

The political realignment we are witnessing across Ogun State is the outcome of sustained engagement and deliberate bridge building.

— Kayode OladeleExplaining the reasons behind the shift in political alliances.

In a statement, Oladele described the movement of politicians and their supporters into the APC as evidence of a significant political shift across the state. He emphasized that the growing support for Senator Adeola is the result of sustained engagement and deliberate bridge-building efforts. "Those who think they understand the political strength that is quietly gathering around Senator Yayi are in for a rude shock," Oladele asserted.

Those who think they understand the political strength that is quietly gathering around Senator Yayi are in for a rude shock.

— Kayode OladeleCommenting on the growing support for Senator Solomon Adeola.

Oladele highlighted that Adeola is not only consolidating the APC's base but also reaching out beyond the party's traditional boundaries. He indicated that the defections observed so far are merely a preview of more to come, suggesting that the opposition is aware of the changing political landscape. The senator has reportedly dedicated substantial time to meeting with political leaders, community stakeholders, and grassroots organizers, including those who previously supported opposition parties.

Adeola is consolidating the APC and, at the same time, reaching beyond the boundaries of the party.

— Kayode OladeleDescribing Senator Adeola's political strategy.

Adeola's inclusive approach, engaging individuals regardless of their past political affiliations, has fostered trust and opened new avenues for political cooperation. Oladele added that the senator's widespread influence across Ogun West, Ogun Central, and Ogun East makes it difficult for opponents to label his candidacy as sectional. The senator's interventions in various communities throughout the state have reportedly built relationships that are now translating into political support.

The defections we have seen so far are only a glimpse of what is coming.

— Kayode OladelePredicting further shifts in political allegiances.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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