Oyo PDP In Crisis As 6 Reps Members Dump Party For APM

Six members of the House of Representatives from Oyo State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), marking a significant development in the state’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers announced their departure from the PDP during Tuesday’s plenary session of the House of Representatives, a move widely seen as aligning with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who recently joined the APM and subsequently emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed the development while reading letters submitted by lawmakers upon the resumption of plenary after the Sallah recess. A total of 13 lawmakers formally notified the House of their decision to switch political parties, with six of them coming from Oyo State.

The defecting lawmakers are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle, and Adigun Adekunle.

In their separate letters, the lawmakers cited the persistent internal crisis, leadership disputes, and unresolved divisions within the PDP as the primary reasons for their departure. They argued that the party’s ongoing challenges had created uncertainty, prompting them to seek a more suitable platform to advance their political aspirations ahead of the next election cycle.

The lawmakers expressed confidence that the APM would provide a fresh political direction and a stable environment for their future engagements.

The development further underscores the growing influence of Governor Makinde within his new political platform. With the latest defections, six of the 14 members representing Oyo State in the House of Representatives have now aligned with the governor in the APM.

Political observers believe the defections could strengthen the APM’s position in Oyo State while accelerating broader political realignments within the state and beyond. The move is also expected to bolster Makinde’s emerging political structure as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 presidential contest.

Makinde’s emergence as the APM’s presidential flagbearer has already increased national attention on the party, which is gradually positioning itself as a key player in the build-up to the next general elections.