Ibarapa East Local Government of Oyo State witnessed a major political shift on Sunday as over 2,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defected to the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).

The defectors, led by former council chairman, Hon. Bimbo Adepoju, were received at an empowerment programme in Eruwa Town Hall by APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

The defectors declared support for Adekanmbi, Governor Seyi Makinde for President, and Ogundoyin’s re-election bid ahead of 2027.

Addressing them, Ogundoyin assured the new members of equal treatment and said their names have been collated for the next phase of his economic empowerment programme. He said Makinde remains the best presidential candidate for 2027 and urged the people not to betray their own.

Adekanmbi thanked the defectors for their courage, saying APM belongs to both old and new members with no discrimination. He said Makinde has laid a foundation for sustainable development which his administration will continue.

In his remarks, Adepoju, former Chairman of Ibarapa East LG and former Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, said he left APC out of disappointment with its internal arrangements and leadership style.

He questioned the record of APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, whom he said he has known for 35 years.

“I have known Senator Alli for about 35 years. He has been a senator for almost four years, yet it is difficult to point to what he has done. I cannot continue to follow somebody when I no longer believe in his direction,” Adepoju said.

He accused Alli of promoting nepotism while serving as Secretary to the State Government.

Adepoju added that APC has lost its structure in Ibarapa, saying the 2027 election will be won through grassroots engagement, not money.

“The people will collect whatever money is offered, but they will make their own decisions at the polling booth. Those bringing dollars from Abuja will be disappointed,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Adekanmbi, Ogundoyin and other APM candidates will win by landslide in 2027.