Obokun/Oriade Race: APC Members Defect To Accord, Declare Support For Olajengbesi

More than 100 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Erinmo, Osun State, have defected to the Accord Party, declaring support for Pelumi Olajengbesi ahead of the contest for the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The defectors, according to a statement signed by Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo, spokesperson for the Pelumi Olajengbesi Campaign Organisation (POCO) and made available to journalists in Osogbo, announced their decision at a meeting held in Erinmo on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

According to the statement, the detectors cited dissatisfaction with the emergence of Hon. Wole Oke as the APC candidate and expressing confidence in Olajengbesi’s leadership and capacity to provide what they described as purposeful representation.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ojo Ajibola said their decision was informed by grievances over the party’s decision to give Oke the House of Representatives ticket, despite his longstanding association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ajibola said many loyal APC members were disappointed that a politician who had represented the constituency on the PDP platform for about 24 years was given the party’s ticket without, according to him, adequate consideration for members who had worked to build the APC in the constituency.

“We cannot trust Wole Oke. He used the PDP ticket for 24 years, and now he is using the APC ticket. Tomorrow he will use the ticket for another party. He has no party loyalty. How can such a man represent us faithfully?” Ajibola queried.

He further alleged that the discontent over Oke’s candidacy weakened the APC’s mobilisation efforts during the recently concluded Osun governorship election, claiming that some party members were unwilling to work for a candidate they did not trust.

Another defector, Ruth Agbesuyi, questioned Oke’s record in the National Assembly, alleging that his years in the House of Representatives had not produced sufficient landmark projects or legislative achievements for the constituency.

“For 24 years, Wole Oke dominated this constituency. Where is his legacy project? No bill sponsored, no federal institution, no empowerment that outlives him. We cannot continue with that kind of representation,” Agbesuyi said.

The allegations against Oke were made by the defectors and were not independently verified. No response from the lawmaker was contained in the statement announcing their defection.

The defectors said their decision to join Accord was driven by their belief that Olajengbesi offered an alternative focused on youth inclusion, community development and improved representation for the people of Obokun/Oriade.

Welcoming the new members, Olajengbesi described their defection as a bold decision, saying it reflected their desire for a different approach to politics and constituency representation.

He said the constituency needed a representative who would remain accessible to constituents, be accountable to the people and pursue projects capable of delivering lasting benefits to the area.

“I welcome my brothers and sisters from Erinmo. You have taken a bold decision for the future of our constituency. Together, we will restore trust, bring legacy projects, and give our people quality representation they can be proud of,” Olajengbesi said.

The development represents a boost to the Accord Party’s campaign in Obokun/Oriade, although the wider electoral implications of the defection remain to be seen.