Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, declaring his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his second-term ambition.
Mimiko, who served as governor of Ondo State from 2009 to 2016, formally registered with the APC on Thursday at the party’s Ward 7 secretariat in Ondo West Local Government Area, marking a major political shift in the state.
The former governor had resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party in April, fueling speculation about his next political move.
Speaking after his defection, Mimiko said his decision was driven by a desire to support the administration of Tinubu, which he said was implementing policies aimed at national progress and stability.
According to him, several initiatives introduced by the current administration convinced him to align with the ruling party. He specifically praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a strong effort to make higher education more accessible to students across the country.
Mimiko also commended ongoing discussions around state policing, noting that as a longtime advocate of decentralised policing, the proposed reforms were among the reasons he decided to throw his weight behind the federal government.
He said he was joining forces with Tinubu to contribute to efforts aimed at sustaining peace, development and economic progress in the country.
Welcoming him into the APC, the Ondo State chairman of the party, Kolawole Babatunde, described Mimiko’s entry as a “homecoming,” saying the former governor had always demonstrated progressive ideals throughout his political career.
Babatunde praised Mimiko’s record in office, citing achievements in health, education and infrastructure, and said his decision to join the APC reflected growing support for Tinubu’s leadership among influential political figures.
Also speaking at the event, former House of Representatives member Joseph Akinlaja said Mimiko’s formal entry into the APC signaled the complete migration of the former governor’s political structure into the party in Ondo State.
Akinlaja noted that several loyalists of Mimiko had already joined the APC earlier, but said the former governor’s official move now unified the political camp and would strengthen support for Tinubu and the party’s candidates in future elections.
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