The Accord Party in Oyo State has suffered a major political setback following the defection of more than 3,000 of its members to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in a move that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The defectors, drawn from all 33 local government areas of the state, declared support for Governor Seyi Makinde’s continuity agenda and the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, during a ceremony held on Friday at the party’s secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
The mass defection, which involved state executive members and youth leaders, was described by APM leaders as a significant boost to the party’s growing political structure and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls.
Oyo State APM Chairman, Otunba Peter Fagbenro, used the occasion to dismiss suggestions of division within the party, insisting that his leadership represented the only nationally recognised structure of the APM.
He urged the new members to immediately join the party’s mobilisation efforts across the state, stressing that unity, grassroots engagement and voter registration would be critical to securing victory.
Welcoming the defectors, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi, and Hon. Wasiu Adeleke, assured them of full integration into the party, describing APM as a platform with a clear political direction and vision.
They charged the newcomers to work with existing members towards delivering victory for all the party’s candidates, expressing confidence that the growing alliance would strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
Similarly, the APM deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Mufutau Open Salawu, described the defection as a strategic gain, noting that the involvement of members from all 33 local government areas could strengthen the party’s presence across the state’s 351 wards.
Salawu urged the defectors to put aside personal disagreements and remain committed to the party’s success, assuring them that an APM government would not disappoint the people if elected.
Explaining the reasons behind their decision, the leader of the defectors and former Accord Party chieftain, Hon. Philip Olasupo, blamed the exodus on persistent internal crises and protracted court cases rocking the Accord Party less than 75 days before the election.
He said the uncertainty surrounding Accord’s political future had made it difficult for members to remain confident about the party’s chances at the polls, prompting them to seek what they considered a more viable political platform.
Olasupo added that the defectors were attracted by Makinde’s record in infrastructure and human capital development, expressing confidence that aligning with APM would improve their chances of electoral success.
A party leader and former Oyo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, formally received the defectors into the APM.
The mass movement of Accord members into APM marks a potentially significant development in Oyo State’s evolving political contest, as the party seeks to consolidate its grassroots strength and build momentum ahead of the elections.
