The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to host a grand official defection ceremony for Mr. Dotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, and their respective supporters.
This move follows Dr. Ogunbiyi’s defection to the APC in July 2023, while Mr. Babayemi, though yet to formally announce his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is anticipated to join the APC ranks soon.
The defection ceremony, organized by a newly unveiled committee led by Alhaji Mayegun Debo Badru, will see the convergence of thousands of supporters and followers from across Osun State. The 12-member committee, with Hon Bello Atanda as the secretary, has been tasked with orchestrating a seamless transition for the defectors into the APC fold.
Mr. Babayemi, who contested as a factional candidate of the PDP in a parallel governorship primary, and Dr. Ogunbiyi, who vied for the PDP ticket in the 2022 governorship race before withdrawing due to alleged bias within the party’s National Working Committee, are prominent figures in Osun State politics.
The defection ceremony aims to solidify the support base of the APC in the state, particularly ahead of future electoral contests. With the Supreme Court affirming Senator Ademola Adeleke as the validly elected candidate of the PDP in the 2018 governorship poll, the political landscape in Osun State has witnessed various realignments and shifts.
According to a statement by Osun APC chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, the defection committee has been granted the flexibility to determine the modalities for the event, ensuring a smooth and timely transition. The ceremony is scheduled to take place within the coming week, emphasizing the urgency and significance of this political development.
