Guber Poll: Osun Central Senatorial Candidate, K-Rad Receives Over 155 Defectors To APC

-Says APC’s Growing Support Signals Victory For AMBO

No fewer than 155 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, citing alleged marginalisation and internal divisions within their former party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The defectors were received by the APC’s Osun Central Senatorial candidate, Barrister Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-RAD), who described the development as a major boost to the party’s grassroots mobilisation and electoral prospects.

Adegoke said the increasing number of defectors joining the APC reflected growing public confidence in the party, expressing optimism that the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), would emerge victorious in the forthcoming election.

“Our party is a grassroots party. We have the structure, the sub-structure and the superstructure. The people are with us, and every assessment we have carried out continues to show increasing support for the APC. The latest political movements across the state have further strengthened our confidence that Osun people are ready for change and that our candidate will emerge victorious,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the State Chairman of Osun Focus Group and former State Coordinator of Stand With ADC, Faruq Issa, said they left the ADC due to what he described as persistent marginalisation and the existence of parallel leadership structures within the party.

According to Issa, the party had become divided between its original members and another bloc allegedly controlled by the Omoluabi Progressives, leaving many members without recognition or opportunities.

“We believe in fairness, credibility and equal opportunities. Unfortunately, we could no longer operate freely in the ADC. Today, there are two leadership structures within the party. One belongs to the original ADC members, while another is controlled by the Omoluabi Progressives. If you are not part of that bloc, you are not recognised. We felt we no longer belonged there, and that informed our decision to join the APC,” he stated.

Also speaking, APC chieftain Hon. Ibrahim Taofeek described the defection as part of a broader trend of politicians from various parties joining the APC ahead of the governorship election.

He said the party had continued to receive defectors from the ADC, Accord and other political parties across the state, adding that the growing momentum would strengthen the APC’s chances at the polls.

“This is happening almost every day. We have received members from Accord, ADC and other political parties in different parts of the state. Today’s defection further strengthens our structure, and we are confident that this momentum will deliver victory for our governorship candidate on August 15,” Taofeek said.

The APC candidate for Osogbo State Constituency, Ayodeji Abdullahi, also welcomed the new members, describing their defection as an addition to the party’s numerical strength and grassroots support.

Similarly, the APC candidate for Olorunda State Constituency, Dr. Samuel Oluwasesan Sanusi, said the latest defections would give the party a strategic advantage in the forthcoming election.

“Every time more people join the party, our chances of victory increase. Politics is pure mathematics. Today’s reception is not just about 155 individuals; these are political gladiators with influence in their respective communities. Each of them has the capacity to mobilise many more supporters. That makes their defection a significant boost to our party as we prepare for the August 15 governorship election,” Sanusi said.

The defection comes amid heightened political activities and realignments across Osun State as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.