By Lateef Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State has recorded a fresh boost to its grassroots structure following the defection of scores of members of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.
The defections, which started in Ward 9, were led by prominent members of the two opposition parties and took place at the Olomi headquarters of the PBAT-KO Grassroots Movement, founded by former Oluyole Local Government chairman and House of Representatives aspirant, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.
The development has also drawn attention to Olaosebikan’s growing influence within the APC, particularly his decision to remain committed to the party and mobilize support for it after failing to secure its ticket for the Oluyole Federal Constituency.
Receiving the defectors, APC Oluyole Chairman, Dotun Oladipupo, said the new members would receive full recognition within the party structure.
He praised Olaosebikan for what he described as his loyalty and commitment to strengthening the APC despite his inability to secure the party’s nomination.
According to Oladipupo, the mobilization demonstrated Olaosebikan’s political reach and popularity in the local government.
“As a party, we are deeply impressed by the actions of Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, who has successfully won over members of rival parties despite not being on the ballot himself.
“This confirms his political strength and popularity in Oluyole; only a politician who is truly loved and trusted can win followers for the party after a setback in securing a ticket,” he said.
The APC chairman also commended Olaosebikan for accepting the party’s decisions without rancour, saying he had demonstrated similar maturity during the 2019 and 2023 electoral cycles as well as the current one.
“With his priority placed firmly on the peace and progress of the party, he will undoubtedly reap bountiful rewards from the APC in the near future,” Oladipupo added.
Speaking for the defectors, the APM Ward 9 leader, Chief Adeolu Adesola, attributed their decision to Olaosebikan’s leadership qualities.
He described the former council chairman as approachable, caring and dependable, saying his influence extended beyond partisan politics.
“We were formerly in darkness, but we want to appreciate our leader, Mr Kehinde Olaosebikan, for taking us out of darkness and into the light,” Adesola said.
He added that Olaosebikan was widely respected across Oluyole and beyond.
For his part, Olaosebikan used the occasion to canvass support for President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the president remained the strongest option ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He said Nigeria was regaining its position of leadership in Africa under the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the president would leave the country better than he found it.
Olaosebikan also projected a northern successor for Tinubu, citing what he described as the president’s record in Lagos as evidence of his commitment to equitable succession.
“Just as he did in Lagos, he will hand over power to the best and most qualified person, who, in the spirit of equity, should come from the North,” he said.
He recalled that Tinubu handed over Lagos to former Governor Raji Fashola after his tenure as governor, arguing that the state had since maintained its position as a model of sustainable development.
The latest defections are expected to further strengthen the APC’s grassroots network in Oluyole as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
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