By Ademola Ade
The Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) Movement in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), endorsing four PDP candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement declared support for Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District; Chief Toyin Amuzu, candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency; Olufunbi Majekodunmi, candidate for Abeokuta South State Constituency I; and Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, candidate for Abeokuta South State Constituency II in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The movement’s leader in Abeokuta, Moshood Okanlawon Akinleye, popularly known as Americo, said the decision to leave the APC followed a disappointing political experience and a reassessment of the group’s political direction.
Akinleye said the movement had resolved to return to the PDP, which he described as its political home, adding that it wanted to support a platform it believed could better address the concerns and aspirations of the people.
He accused the APC in Ogun State of lacking direction and failing to provide purposeful leadership, arguing that the party’s approach to governance had not met the expectations of ordinary citizens.
“Our experience in the APC has been disappointing. After carefully reviewing our political journey and the direction of the party, we have decided to return to the PDP, which we consider our political home.
“We believe the people deserve purposeful leadership and representation that reflect their aspirations. Unfortunately, the APC in Ogun State has failed to provide the direction and leadership we expected,” he said.
Akinleye also criticised what he described as the APC’s increasingly detached approach to the electorate, alleging that its policies and style of governance had failed to meet the needs of ordinary people.
He said the movement had resolved to support PDP candidates at all levels in the 2027 elections and would mobilise its members and supporters across Abeokuta South for their success at the polls.
“We have taken a deliberate decision to work for the success of the PDP candidates in the 2027 general elections. Our members and supporters will be mobilised to ensure that the candidates we have endorsed receive the necessary support at the polls,” he said.
Akinleye described the endorsements of Obasanjo, Amuzu, Majekodunmi and Adeniran as a strategic decision aimed at securing what the movement considered better representation for Abeokuta South and Ogun State.
He expressed confidence that the candidates would provide the leadership and representation the people deserved, describing the movement’s return to the PDP as a fresh beginning for its members.
He also pledged to work with other PDP stakeholders to strengthen the party’s grassroots support ahead of the elections.
In his response, Amuzu welcomed the movement into the PDP, describing its return as a boost to the party’s political strength and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He commended Akinleye and members of the movement for their decision, expressing optimism that their entry would strengthen the party’s efforts across the constituency.
“We welcome the SIA Movement back to the PDP. Their decision to return to the party is a welcome development and a boost to our collective efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The PDP remains a platform for purposeful leadership, people-oriented representation and the pursuit of a better future for Nigerians,” Amuzu said.
He urged members of the movement to work in unity with other party stakeholders towards the success of all PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Amuzu stressed that unity, cooperation and sustained grassroots mobilisation would be crucial to the party’s efforts, adding that its electoral objectives depended largely on the commitment of members and supporters.
The development comes as political parties and their supporters begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with defections and endorsements shaping political alignments in Ogun State.
