Former Ekiti State Governor Olusegun Oni has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), registering with the party at his Ifaki Ekiti home on Sunday. This move comes just a day after Governor Biodun Oyebanji revalidated his APC membership and urged party members to intensify mobilization efforts at the local level.
Oni, who governed Ekiti State from 2007 to 2010 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) governorship candidate in the 2022 election, finishing second behind Governor Oyebanji. His decision to join the APC is seen as a significant development in the state’s political landscape.
According to Gold Adesola Adedayo, the APC’s e-registration exercise coordinator in Ekiti State, Oni’s registration marks a major boost for the party’s electronic registration program. Adedayo, who also serves as the state’s Commissioner for Youth Development, described Oni as a resourceful and popular leader who will add value to the party and strengthen its winning streak.
Oni’s defection from the SDP to the APC is viewed as a strategic move that will bolster Governor Oyebanji’s chances in the 2026 governorship election. Adedayo congratulated the APC on this significant accomplishment, noting that it represents a seismic shift in the state’s political alignment ahead of the 2026 election and the 2027 general elections.
The registration of Oni, a respected figure in grassroots politics, is expected to attract more people to the APC. Adedayo emphasized the importance of continued mobilization efforts, urging party leaders to build on the momentum generated by Oni’s defection. With the APC poised for greatness and victory in future elections, Adedayo encouraged party members to remain focused on strengthening the party’s numerical strength at the grassroots level.
The development is seen as a significant boost to the APC’s fortunes in Ekiti State, particularly with the 2026 governorship election on the horizon. As the party continues to consolidate its position, the registration of high-profile figures like Oni is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the state’s political landscape in the months to come.
