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Politics: Six Oyo Reps Dump PDP, Join Governor Makinde’s APM Ahead of 2027 Elections
2027: Six House Of Reps Members From Oyo State Dump PDP, Join Makinde's APM
NEWS
The Nigerian Record
6/2/20261 min read
June 3, 2027
In a major political shake-up, six federal lawmakers from Oyo State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), signaling strong support for Governor Seyi Makinde’s growing national influence.
The defections were announced on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary in the House of Representatives after the Sallah break. The move is being viewed as a strategic show of strength by Governor Makinde, who recently switched to the APM to pursue his 2027 presidential ambition.
Out of the 14 House of Representatives members from Oyo State, six lawmakers loyal to Governor Makinde made the jump. They are:
Anthony Adebayo
Adedeji Olajide
Sunday Makanjuola
Oyedeji Oyeshina
Fola Oyekunle
Adigun Adekunle
In their defection letters read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the lawmakers cited the persistent leadership crisis, internal wrangling, and factional battles within the PDP as the main reasons for leaving the party.
The APM also recorded another gain as Bauchi State lawmaker Auwalu Gwalabe dumped the PDP to join the party.
PDP Records Gains Elsewhere Despite the setback in Oyo State, the PDP managed to attract new members from other parties. In Katsina State, Shehu Dalhatu (APC) defected to the PDP, while Cross River’s Alex Egbona also left the APC for the PDP.
In Delta State, Labour Party lawmaker Etanabene Benedict joined the PDP, citing the ongoing leadership crisis in the LP.
Notable Cross-Carpeting The session further exposed the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, with Edo State representative Esosa Iyawe defecting for the third time in three years — moving from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Similarly, Nasarawa lawmaker Gbefwi Gaza left the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Labour Party (LP).
Political analysts believe these mass defections reflect the intense realignment currently taking place among Nigerian politicians as the 2027 general elections draw closer.