In a significant political shift, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has experienced a major depletion of its ranks. This follows the defection of hundreds of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A Warm Welcome for New Members
The mass defection, which occurred on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, saw members from across the state's 18 local government areas officially received at the APC Secretariat in Akure. The decampees are predominantly members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), operating under the banner of the Asiwaju Transport Movement.
State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, welcomed the new members, urging them to immediately get to work. "I want to welcome you to our great party; this is the party of victory," Adetimehin declared. He emphasized the party's inclusive nature, stating, "In APC, we don't discriminate; there are no old members, and there are no new members. We are all equal."
Reasons Behind the Political Move
The leader of the defectors, Mr Ojo Adewole, cited President Bola Tinubu's performance as the primary reason for their switch. He specifically highlighted ongoing road projects in the state that are critical to their livelihood as transport workers.
"What we saw is that the road projects that were started by the immediate past administration of the late Muhammadu Buhari – we thought the project would be abandoned, but President Bola Tinubu said the project should continue," Adewole explained. He listed key projects influencing their decision:
- The dualisation of the Benin-Ilesa highway.
- The ongoing Ore-Ondo-Akure road expansion.
- Improvements on the Akure-Ado Ekiti motorway.
- The ongoing coastal highway project.
Adewole also credited the Minister for Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for encouraging their move to the APC.
Implications for the 2027 Elections
Chairman Adetimehin used the occasion to declare that the APC now faces no significant opposition in Ondo State. He pointed to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Initiative, federal appointments for indigenes, and the road construction projects as achievements attracting more people to the party.
"Your capacity at the party will determine your reward in APC," Adetimehin told the new members, directing them to return to their respective wards and local governments to begin canvassing support for President Tinubu's re-election in 2027. The defectors have expressly stated their intention to work for a landslide victory for the president in the state.
