JUST IN: Six Oyo Lawmakers Dump PDP for APM

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s growing influence within the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) became evident on Tuesday as six members of the Oyo State caucus in the House of Representatives defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.

The defections were announced during plenary at the House of Representatives following the Sallah recess. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, read 13 letters from lawmakers notifying the House of their decisions to switch political parties.

The six Oyo lawmakers who joined the APM are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle and Adigun Adekunle.

Recall that Governor Makinde recently left the PDP for the APM and has since declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the party.

In separate letters, the lawmakers attributed their defections to the lingering leadership crisis and internal divisions within the PDP, saying the situation had compelled them to seek a new political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development means Makinde has succeeded in bringing six of the 14 members of the Oyo State caucus in the House of Representatives into the APM.

Meanwhile, the PDP recorded both gains and losses during Tuesday’s plenary.

In Bauchi State, Auwalu Gwalabe also defected from the PDP to the APM.

However, the PDP gained members from other parties. Shehu Dalhatu, representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, left the ruling APC for the PDP.

In his defection letter, Dalhatu said he arrived at the decision after consulting with his constituents and reviewing developments within the APC.

Similarly, Delta State lawmaker Etanabene Benedict defected from the Labour Party to the PDP, citing the prolonged crisis within the party.

Another lawmaker, Alex Egbona, also dumped the APC for the PDP, while assuring constituents that his commitment to legislative duties remained unchanged.

In Edo State, Esosa Iyawe announced his departure from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), blaming irreconcilable differences with the party’s state chapter.

Also, Nasarawa lawmaker Gbefwi Gaza defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party.