A former Senate Chief Whip, Ayoola Agboola, has led a large group of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The defection took place on Wednesday during an APC rally held in Iseyin, headquarters of Iseyin Local Government Area, within the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency.
Agboola, who was previously a close associate of Governor Seyi Makinde, left the PDP in October 2025. He had earlier served as Chairman of the Advisory Council to the incumbent governor before parting ways with the ruling party in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Agboola explained that the decision to join the APC followed wide-ranging consultations and careful consideration of the political climate in Oyo State. According to him, the unity and cohesion currently being demonstrated by APC leaders across the state played a major role in their decision.
“Our decision to join the APC came after extensive consultations,” Agboola said. “The prevailing unity among party leaders in the state convinced us that this is the right platform to align with.”
Former Senate Leader and APC governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Teslim Folarin, welcomed the defectors, describing their move as a strong vote of confidence in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. He stated that the APC remains the most viable platform for inclusive governance and sustainable national development, adding that internal disagreements within the party in Oyo State had been resolved.
The rally attracted several top APC leaders and government officials, including Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Senators Fatai Buhari, Sharafadeen Alli, and Ayo Adeseun; APC State Chairman, Olayide Abas; as well as former deputy governors Iyiola Oladokun and Rauf Olaniyan.
Also present were members of the House of Representatives, including Remi Oseni, Olamiju Alao-Akala, Hannah Ogunesan, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Bolaji Repete, Akeem Akogun, Saheed Alaran, Wasiu Dauda, and Yinka Taiwo, among other party stakeholders.
