Salisu, Elemide, Saka welcome defectors as Sanyaolu inaugurates campaign council subcommittee chairmen
By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
ODEDA, OGUN STATE — More than 300 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have reportedly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, declaring their intention to work with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors formally joined the APC on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a four-in-one political programme that combined the party’s local government meeting, reception of new members, unveiling of the Odeda Local Government Campaign Council and a declaration of support for the APC’s five candidates.
The event attracted prominent party leaders, including Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, popularly known as OMOYAYI, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District, and the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide.
Other APC leaders and stakeholders from across Ogun State also attended the gathering, which focused on strengthening the party’s grassroots structure, integrating new members and coordinating campaign activities ahead of the next general elections.
The defectors were led by Hon. Mukaila Arijo, a PDP stalwart, and Hon. Kashimawo Sabiu, a Labour Party leader, alongside other members of the ADC and their supporters.
Their arrival was presented by APC leaders at the event as part of efforts to expand the party’s membership and consolidate its organisational presence across Odeda’s political wards.
SAKA WELCOMES DEFECTORS, PROMISES FAIR TREATMENT
Welcoming the new members, the APC Chairman in Odeda Local Government Area, Hon. Musulumi Saka, urged them to familiarise themselves with the party’s constitution, principles and internal rules.
Saka assured the defectors that they would be given equal opportunities and fair treatment within the party, stressing that their integration into the APC should be guided by unity, mutual respect and adherence to established party procedures.
He called on both existing members and the new entrants to put aside differences, work together and contribute meaningfully to the party’s activities at the grassroots.
According to him, the strength of the party depends not only on its numerical membership but also on the willingness of members to cooperate, respect its structures and participate actively in its political programmes.
The local government chairman urged the new members to demonstrate commitment to the party’s objectives and work with ward executives and other stakeholders in preparing for the 2027 elections.
SALISU MOBILISES SUPPORT FOR APC’S FIVE CANDIDATES
Addressing party members and supporters, Senator Salisu called for unity and intensified grassroots mobilisation in support of the APC’s five candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and Hon. Olumide Osoba were not physically present at the gathering, Salisu conveyed their messages and urged party faithful to support the candidates seeking election at the federal and state levels.
The five candidates identified at the event were President Tinubu, who is seeking re-election; Senator Adeola, the APC’s governorship candidate in Ogun State; Senator Salisu, who is seeking another term representing Ogun Central Senatorial District; Hon. Osoba, the party’s candidate for Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency; and Rt. Hon. Elemide, who is seeking re-election to represent Odeda State Constituency.
Salisu urged members to intensify engagement with residents across the local government, explaining that effective mobilisation and communication would be central to the party’s campaign activities.
He also encouraged party faithful to communicate what they regard as the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government, particularly in infrastructure development across the South-West.
Among the projects highlighted was the Ibadan–Abeokuta Road, which he cited in urging members to engage residents on the administration’s activities and programmes.
The senator called on party leaders, ward executives, youth groups, women and other grassroots stakeholders to coordinate their efforts towards the party’s stated electoral objectives.
He maintained that cooperation among party members would be essential to sustaining the APC’s campaign structure in Odeda.
SANYAOLU INAUGURATES CAMPAIGN COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
A major highlight of the programme was the inauguration of the subcommittee chairmen of the Odeda Local Government Campaign Council by Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, who represented the Director-General of the Presidential and Ogun State Campaign Council.
The inauguration was organised to strengthen the party’s campaign machinery, assign responsibilities and establish a coordinated framework for mobilisation across the local government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sanyaolu charged the newly inaugurated chairmen to approach their assignments with commitment, discipline, accountability and a strong sense of responsibility.
He described the inauguration as an important step towards building an organised campaign structure capable of coordinating activities across the various wards and communities in Odeda.
“The inauguration of these subcommittee chairmen marks an important step in strengthening our campaign structure in Odeda. Each person appointed has a responsibility to deliver on the mandate entrusted to them. We must work as a united team, remain committed to the party’s objectives and ensure effective grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Sanyaolu said.
He further urged the appointees to maintain close working relationships with the campaign council leadership, party executives and grassroots stakeholders to ensure that activities were properly coordinated.
According to him, the effectiveness of the campaign committees would depend on their ability to communicate with party members, reach residents at the grassroots and work collectively towards the assignments entrusted to them.
Sanyaolu also emphasised the need for discipline and cooperation, urging the committee chairmen to see their appointments as opportunities to contribute to the organisation and coordination of the party’s campaign activities.
ADEYEMO CHARGES COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ON COMMITMENT
The Chairman of Odeda Local Government and Chairman of the Odeda Local Government Campaign Council, Dr Folasade Adeyemo, also addressed the newly inaugurated subcommittee chairmen, urging them to demonstrate dedication and work collaboratively in carrying out their responsibilities.
Adeyemo described their appointments as a call to service, stressing that each committee had a role to play in strengthening the APC’s organisational structure and coordinating political engagement across the local government.
She urged the appointees to understand their respective assignments, maintain effective communication and cooperate with other committees to achieve the council’s objectives.
“This responsibility requires commitment, unity and a clear understanding of the tasks assigned to each committee. I urge all the subcommittee chairmen to work together, maintain effective communication and demonstrate the dedication required to achieve our collective objectives ahead of the 2027 elections,” she said.
The council chairman also called on party leaders and members to maintain harmonious working relationships and avoid internal disagreements that could undermine the coordination of party activities.
She stressed that sustained cooperation among the party’s various organs would be important in implementing the campaign council’s plans and maintaining engagement with members across Odeda.
Adeyemo urged the committee chairmen to justify the confidence placed in them through diligence, teamwork and effective performance of their assigned duties.
ELEMIDE COMMENDS DEFECTORS
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, also welcomed the defectors and encouraged them to contribute actively to the development of the APC’s structure in Odeda.
Elemide described the entry of new members as an opportunity for the party to broaden participation and strengthen cooperation among its supporters.
He urged the defectors to familiarise themselves with existing party structures and work with established members towards the party’s stated objectives.
The Speaker stressed that the effectiveness of a political party depends significantly on the commitment of its members and their willingness to participate in its activities.
He encouraged the new entrants to maintain unity with other members and support the party’s candidates through lawful and peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
ARIJO, BITRUS PLEDGE COOPERATION WITH APC
In their respective remarks, PDP leader Hon. Mukaila Arijo and Labour Party leader Hon. Sunday Bitrus expressed their readiness to work with the APC leadership and mobilise their supporters for the party’s candidates.
Representatives of the ADC and its youth wing also reportedly pledged their commitment to participating in the APC’s activities.
The development marked a new phase of political realignment for the individuals involved, as they moved from their former political platforms to join the ruling party in Ogun State.
However, the long-term implications of the defections for the political landscape in Odeda will depend on the extent to which the new members integrate into the APC’s structures and sustain their participation in the party’s activities.
APC INTENSIFIES PREPARATIONS FOR 2027
The four-in-one programme brought together membership mobilisation, party administration, campaign planning and the inauguration of committee leaders under one political gathering.
The reception of defectors was aimed at integrating new members, while the inauguration of subcommittee chairmen was designed to establish responsibilities for coordinating the campaign council’s activities across Odeda Local Government Area.
The event also provided an opportunity for party leaders to reiterate their calls for unity and encourage members to work together ahead of the forthcoming elections.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, political parties across the country are expected to intensify grassroots engagement, strengthen their internal structures and mobilise supporters in preparation for the electoral contest.
For the APC in Odeda, Thursday’s gathering represented a combination of membership expansion and campaign organisation, with party leaders urging the new entrants and existing members to cooperate in carrying out the tasks ahead.
The programme ended with renewed calls for unity, stronger grassroots participation and coordinated mobilisation across Odeda Local Government Area as the party continues its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
