A former Senate Chief Whip, Ayoola Agboola, on Wednesday led hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The defectors formally joined the APC at a rally held in the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.
Agboola, a former close ally of Governor Seyi Makinde, left the PDP in October 2025. He previously served as Chairman of the Advisory Council to the governor.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Agboola said their decision followed wide consultations and careful consideration.
“Our decision to join the APC came after extensive consultations. The prevailing unity among party leaders in the state informed our resolve to align with the party,” he said.
Also addressing the gathering, a former Senate Leader and APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin, described the mass defection as a strong endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
According to Folarin, the APC remains the most credible platform for inclusive governance and sustainable national development. He added that internal disagreements within the party in the state had been resolved.
Several party leaders and dignitaries attended the rally, including the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Senators Fatai Buhari, Sharafadeen Alli, and Ayo Adeseun; APC State Chairman Olayide Abas; Fatai Ibikunle; Idris Adeoye; former Deputy Governors Iyiola Oladokun and Rauf Olaniyan; and Moses Alake.
Members of the House of Representatives present included Remi Oseni, Olamiju Alao-Akala, Hannah Ogunesan, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Bolaji Repete, Akeem Akogun, Saheed Alaran, Wasiu Dauda, and Yinka Taiwo.
