Over 500 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State on Monday, December 17, 2024.
The defectors were officially received into the PDP by the State Chairman, Sunday Bisi, who expressed confidence that ongoing developments in the state had influenced many APC members to switch allegiance. He added that even more defections are expected before the year ends.
Bisi also boldly predicted that the APC’s influence in Osun would be wiped out in the upcoming local government elections in February 2025. He urged supporters to continue backing the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, claiming that the current government’s achievements in the last two years far surpass those of the previous APC administration.
Addressing the defectors, Bisi reassured them that the PDP is a party free from discrimination. “In PDP, we don’t discriminate,” he said, emphasizing unity and progress. “Let’s join hands with those you met to move the party forward. There are lots of goodies on the ground for all of us.”
Bisi further rallied the crowd, calling on everyone to mobilize for the February 2025 elections, promising that the PDP would emerge victorious and that APC’s usual tactics of rigging would not succeed in Osun. “We are fully prepared,” he declared.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Goke Folayan explained that Governor Adeleke’s performance had been a key factor in their decision to leave the APC. “Governor Adeleke has proven his critics wrong,” he said. “He is delivering on his promises, making life better for the people.” Folayan also criticized the APC for neglecting Ifedayo Local Government during their twelve years in power, pointing to projects like the restoration of the abandoned Ora-Igbomina water scheme as a major achievement under Governor Adeleke’s administration.
He expressed confidence that the PDP would win the forthcoming local government elections, adding, “By the grace of God, Kayode Atolagbe and all his councillors will win. This will send the remnant of APC members in Ifedayo into complete oblivion.”
The event culminated in the presentation of PDP flags to the party’s chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councilorship candidates by the state chairman.
