The political influence of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, was on full display on Tuesday as six members of the House of Representatives from Oyo State formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the Allied Peoples Movement.
The lawmakers announced their defection during plenary at the House of Representatives, where Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read a total of 13 letters from members notifying the chamber of changes in party affiliation following the Sallah recess.
The latest move comes weeks after Governor Makinde himself left the PDP for the APM and declared his intention to contest Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election on the party’s platform.
The six Oyo lawmakers who followed the governor into the APM are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle, and Adigun Adekunle.
In separate letters addressed to the House, the lawmakers attributed their decision to the prolonged internal crisis and leadership disputes within the PDP, saying the situation had made it necessary for them to seek a new political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the latest defections, Makinde is now said to have taken six of the 14 members of the Oyo caucus in the House of Representatives into the APM fold.
The wave of defections was not limited to Oyo State. In Bauchi State, lawmaker Auwalu Gwalabe also left the PDP for the APM, further strengthening the party’s growing presence in the National Assembly.
However, the PDP also recorded some gains on the floor of the House.
Representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency in Katsina State, Shehu Dalhatu announced his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress to join the PDP. He said the decision followed consultations with his constituents and careful consideration of developments within the APC.
Similarly, Delta State lawmaker Etanabene Benedict defected from the Labour Party to the PDP, citing the lingering crisis within the party in the South-South state.
The PDP also welcomed Alex Egbona, who left the APC and pledged continued dedication to his legislative duties and constituents despite the change in party affiliation.
In another development, Edo State lawmaker Esosa Iyawe once again switched parties, moving from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress. He blamed irreconcilable differences with the APC leadership in Edo State for his latest political move.
Also, Nasarawa lawmaker Gbefwi Gaza announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party to the Labour Party.
The series of defections highlights the growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties repositioning and lawmakers seeking new platforms amid shifting alliances across the country.
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