Ondo Rep, thousands dump PDP for APC

A major political realignment has hit Ondo State as Hon. Festus Akingbaso, member of the House of Representatives for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with thousands of his supporters.

Akingbaso officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, July 31.

The lawmaker and his supporters were received in Idanre town by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Olayide Adelami, who represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the event.

Adelami, while welcoming the defectors, described Akingbaso as a worthy son of Idanre and Ifedore, noting that his decision to join the APC is a strong endorsement of the party’s leadership at both state and federal levels.

“Festus Akingbaso has witnessed what the APC is doing across Ondo State and Nigeria. His defection marks a turning point. With him and his supporters on board, we can now say APC controls Idanre and Ifedore 100 per cent,” Adelami said.

He urged the new members to fully commit themselves to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the 2027 re-election bid of the president requires total grassroots mobilisation.

Akingbaso’s defection is expected to strengthen the APC’s grip ahead of the next round of elections in the state.

The lawmaker is yet to make an official statement, but sources say more PDP members in the constituency may follow suit in the coming weeks.