By John Dike, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has described the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an “Internally Displaced Party (IDP)” following what it called a massive wave of defections by the opposition party members and leaders into the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The campaign council disclosed that no fewer than 10,000 APC members from different parts of the state were expected to formally join the Accord Party, describing the development as a major political realignment that could reshape the electoral landscape in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Vice Chairman of the Civil Society Matters Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Apesin Abiodun Adegoke, the campaign organization said the APC was witnessing an unprecedented exodus of members following growing dissatisfaction within its ranks.
According to the statement, the recent influx of political heavyweights and grassroots mobilizers into the Accord Party is an indication of what it described as a loss of confidence in the opposition party’s leadership and direction.
The council alleged that the APC had become fragmented across various levels, particularly after the emergence of its governorship candidate, a development it claimed generated internal discontent among party stakeholders.
Among those listed by the campaign council as having joined the Accord Party are former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Yemi Lawal; former Commissioner for Education, Hon. Folorunsho Oladoyin Bamisaye; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ismail Kolawole; and former Osun APC Chairman, Hon. Ojo Williams.
Others named in the statement include former Special Adviser on Education, Hon. Jamiu Olawumi; Hon. Tunde Alarape; Hon. Tobi Famurewa; Hon. Felix Olawuni; Hon. Jubril Kayode Olaifa; and former councillor, Hon. Musbau Adefajo, among several others.
The campaign council maintained that the list represented only a fraction of the growing number of APC members and leaders who had allegedly embraced the Accord Party in recent weeks.
“The movement of these political leaders clearly demonstrates the growing loss of confidence in the APC and confirms that the party has become severely fragmented across Osun State,” the statement said.
According to the council, the ongoing defections cut across the state’s federal constituencies and involve individuals who previously occupied strategic positions under past administrations and within the APC structure.
TICC argued that the political shifts were a reflection of broader dissatisfaction among party members who felt excluded from critical decisions affecting the future of the opposition party.
The campaign organization attributed the crisis within the APC to disagreements arising from the party’s governorship ticket, claiming that many members were unhappy with the process that produced the party’s candidate.
“Political leadership is earned through popular acceptance and demonstrated capacity, not through imposition. The growing wave of defections across the state reflects dissatisfaction within the party and the rejection of politics that ignores the wishes of the people,” the statement added.
The campaign council also linked the growing support for the Accord Party to the performance of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, arguing that the governor’s developmental initiatives have continued to attract support from residents and political stakeholders alike.
According to the council, Adeleke’s achievements in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and social intervention programmes have strengthened public confidence in his leadership and contributed to the growing coalition around his re-election bid.
“The remarkable achievements of Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke over the last three years continue to attract widespread support from citizens and residents of Osun State. His administration’s performance has reinforced the belief that Osun is on the right path of development and progress,” the statement noted.
The campaign council welcomed the defectors into the Accord Party and assured them of equal opportunities and participation in the party’s activities ahead of the election.
It described the development as a significant boost for Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign and a sign of increasing political momentum across the state.
Adegoke called on residents of Osun State to rally behind what he described as a vision of inclusive governance, sustainable development and people-oriented leadership.
He urged political stakeholders, community leaders and voters to support efforts aimed at sustaining the developmental agenda of the current administration.
“The time has come for all well-meaning citizens to unite behind a vision that prioritizes the welfare of the people above personal interests. Together, we shall continue to build a more prosperous, inclusive and progressive Osun State,” he said.
As political activities intensify ahead of the governorship election, the latest wave of defections is expected to further heat up the contest, with both the ruling camp and opposition parties stepping up efforts to consolidate support across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Political observers believe the coming weeks will be crucial as parties continue to court influential stakeholders and grassroots supporters in what is shaping up to be one of the most keenly contested governorship elections in Osun’s recent history.
