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Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi and four other members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.

The defectors are Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East), Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Omirin Olusanya (Ijesa South Federal Constituency), Wole Oke (Ijesa North Federal Constituency), and Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central Federal Constituency), and thousands of their supporters.

They were received formally into the APC by party officials, members and supporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, said that in the APC, there are no strangers, adding that the arrival of the defectors would strengthen the party’s resolve to reclaim the state and restore dignity to governance.

Oyetola said: “We are gathered not just to receive our new members, but to affirm a shared conviction: That the sure path to prosperity, stability, and visionary leadership lies in the All Progressives Congress.

“In the APC, there are no strangers.

“We are one united family. 

“Your arrival strengthens our resolve to reclaim Osun and restore dignity to governance.”

Oyetola also said that the achievements of President Bola Tinubu since assuming office had laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s rebirth.

“That is why we proudly and confidently endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 — to consolidate these gains and secure lasting prosperity,” he said.

He urged members of the party to work towards the victory of the APC in the August 8, 2026 governorship election in the state.

He said: “At home, the 2026 governorship election is fast approaching. 

“Our mission is clear: Reclaim Osun and return it to serious, people-focused governance.

“We will build a state where schools and hospitals function effectively, infrastructure is durable, youth and small businesses are empowered, and governance is transparent and accountable.

“But victory will come only through unity, hard work, and grassroots mobilisation. 

“So I charge you: Return to your communities, wards and polling units.

“Tell our people that the light of progress has returned to Osun. 

“Tell them the APC is stronger, united, and determined.

“Together, we will reclaim Osun on August 8. 

“Together, we will re-elect President Tinubu in 2027. 

“Together, we will secure a brighter future for our children.”

The APC Chairman in the state, Tajudeen Lawal, said that the defection of the PDP members would no doubt translate into the strengthening of the party and the realisation of the party’s success in the August 8 governorship election in the state, as well as the victory of President Tinubu in 2027.

Lawal also said there would be no discrimination in access to political opportunities, irrespective of the time of joining the party, in line with the tradition of the APC.

Similarly, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Bola Oyebamiji, urged party members to unite ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections.

Oyebamiji said: “Dear party leaders, party members and supporters, as we look toward the 2026 and 2027 elections, unity within our ranks is non-negotiable.

“The progressive family in Osun must stand as one.

“Our leaders, youths, men and women, and all grassroots mobilisers must continue to work together with a singular objective to return our state to a path of growth, accountability, and inclusive development.

“Your decision to formally join us today reinforces the momentum we are building and sends a strong signal that the future belongs to those who are prepared to act decisively and responsibly.”

On his path Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi OFR, express his deep gratitude to God Almighty and the entire people of Osun East for confidence reposed in him as a two term Senator.

“I want to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to God and the entire people of Osun East for confidence reposed me as a two term Senator for the District.

“For we are indeed at a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewal.

According to him Osun State project was paramount to the reasonable Federal law makers

“Our people were in dire need for good representation. This is because we were at a crossroad, a period when confidence in political leadership is almost at all time low, mutual mistrust between the citizens and the State is at all time high, yet, you chose to believe in our ability to change the fortune of our people through adequate representation.

“Today, I stand before you, to announce a break from the past, and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, beliefs,culture and how we as a people organize ourselves politically, and further advance the Ife/Ijesa Agenda.

“I offer my sincere appreciation to everyone who have in one way or the other contributed to this journey over the past six years.

“The Osun State project was paramount to us. Our people were in dire need for good representation. This is because we were at a crossroad, a period when confidence in political leadership is almost at all time low, mutual mistrust between the citizens and the State is at all time high, yet, you chose to believe in our ability to change the fortune of our people through adequate representation.

He declared that “Tomorrow Is Here,” it struck a chord in your hearts. You put aside long-held skepticism and stood by us. Without that trust, the transformation we see today would never have happened.

“Let us pause for a moment and consider what this transformation looks like.

The Akure- Ilesa- Ife-? Ibadan, express road dualization is a testament of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment for a better Osun State.

It looks like water flowing again through new mains and restored supply of Constituency projects.

It looks like over 700 kilometres of paved rural roads.

Federal university of Agriculture, Iragbiji, Federal University Health Sciences, Ila-Orogun, are products of President Tinubu’s / APC’ bold step towards providing quality education for our children.

Orthopedic hospital Obokun, School of Nursing, Ijebu-jesa, and Federal Medical Centre Ilesa amongst other passed bills are awaiting Presidential assent.

Multimillion Naira of quality health equipments have been given to our hospitals among other interventions in the health sector attests to President Tinubu’s commitment and value for human lives.

Of course, it looks like winning the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Model Green.

“Beloved Osun East, Your trust and support have been the bedrock of our success, and we pledge to honour that by delivering on our election promises.

Our elder statesmen have also demonstrated generosity and foresight.

“Many of you had witnessed decades of broken promises. When we approached you, we did not ask for blind loyalty but some faith in our vision.

“You gave us that faith. Together, with your vote of confidence, we have achieved remarkable progress.

“To my colleagues at the National Assembly, I am grateful for your resilience. We have walked a path that often felt like a marathon without rest. Many of the ideas we put forward were dismissed as unrealistic. Yet, you kept pushing the boundaries of what and making the seemingly impossible, possible.

“To the Peoples Democratic Party, which provided the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined in celebrating the victory.

“For nearly 6years, the PDP and the people of Osun East walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Together, we built relationships that will always matter to me personally and to this state.

Yet, leadership sometimes demands difficult but painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. there always comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.

Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and officially join the All Progressives Congress.

*This is no whimsical decision. It’s a collective move by the political family in Osun State, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State Government, before the state government was rejected and over 80% of party executives.*

Over the past months, I have thought carefully about the path forward. In the end, after much soul searching and discussion, I have concluded that we must stand for the principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust, and above all – the people we serve.

For years, the Osun state – especially Osun East – has stood firmly behind the PDP, showing loyalty that shaped the party’s success.

Yet despite this history, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most.

It has therefore become necessary to seek affiliation where our interests as a region are represented in the form of fair partnership.

We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future.

We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours.

Today, in joining the APC, we are embracing a visionary partnership.

I have found in His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, not just a leader of our nation, but a partner in purpose, a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secures lasting prosperity for future.
Together, we share a conviction that transformation must be bold and disruptive – that roads, railways, and airlines must stretch out from the heart of the West; that Osun’s promise, its security, its schools, its hospitals, its markets, its communities – must be reinforced.

The President has shown not only interest, but a deep and vested commitment to Osun state, one that recognises our region as a pillar of national progress.

We both share a belief that renewal does not stop at the grand highways or the balance sheets. It must reach the wards, the villages, our grassroot. It is in the dream of the farmer, the trader, the young Entrepreneur that reforms come alive.

We both welcome initiatives that decentralises opportunity, that strengthens the capacity of local government, that bring seed capital and credit to our youths, and that expand healthcare and education at the community level. He added