Five federal lawmakers from Osun State who were elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move signaling ongoing political realignments ahead of key elections. The defection of two senators and three members of the House of Representatives was formally announced during a reception in Osogbo, the state capital, on Saturday.
The new APC members include Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), along with Representatives Omirin Olusanya (Ijesa South), Wole Oke (Ijesa North), and Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central). They were welcomed by APC chieftains, party faithful, and supporters at the event, which was attended by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and former Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Speaking at the event, Oyetola described the lawmakers as valuable additions to the party’s family, stating, “In the APC, there are no strangers. We are one united family. Your arrival strengthens our resolve to reclaim Osun and restore dignity to governance.” He urged intensified campaign efforts for the state’s August 8, 2026 governorship election and the 2027 presidential poll, emphasizing unity and grassroots mobilization. “Together, we will reclaim Osun on August 8. Together, we will re-elect President Tinubu in 2027,” he added.
This high-profile defection bolsters the APC’s structure in Osun, a state that has been a competitive battleground between the two major parties. The PDP currently controls the state government, having won the 2022 governorship election, while the APC, the party of President Bola Tinubu, seeks to regain control. The entry of sitting federal legislators strengthens the APC’s legislative caucus from the state and is seen as a strategic maneuver ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial contest. The development underscores the fluidity of Nigeria’s political alliances and the intense preparations underway for the next electoral cycle. The APC’s ability to attract prominent figures from the opposition will be tested at the polls, with both parties expected to intensify mobilisation across Osun’s communities.
