The political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections gathered momentum as six members of the House of Representatives from Oyo State formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), citing the lingering leadership crisis and unresolved legal disputes within the opposition party.
The defections were announced during plenary at the House of Representatives, where Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read letters from lawmakers who explained that the prolonged internal turmoil in the PDP had made it difficult for them to continue their political activities under the party’s platform. The latest development formed part of a broader wave of defections in the Green Chamber, bringing the total number of lawmakers who changed political parties to 13 during the session.
The Oyo lawmakers who left the PDP include representatives from Ibadan North West/South West, Ibadan North East/South East, Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa, Ibarapa Central/North, Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere, and another federal constituency aligned with Governor Seyi Makinde’s political structure. Reports indicate that the lawmakers attributed their decisions to persistent internal conflicts and uncertainty surrounding the PDP’s national leadership.
Their exit has intensified speculation that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, may also be preparing to leave the PDP. In recent weeks, several political allies of the governor, including former and serving lawmakers, have resigned from the party and pitched their tents with the APM. Observers view the coordinated movement as part of a broader political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those previously reported to have resigned from the PDP are federal lawmakers who argued that the unresolved crisis at the national level of the party could jeopardize their political ambitions and create legal complications for future elections. Several of them stressed that their decisions followed consultations with constituents, supporters, and political associates.
The defections represent another major setback for the PDP in Oyo State, where Governor Makinde has remained one of the party’s most influential figures. Political analysts believe the continued exodus of lawmakers and party leaders could significantly reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of the next electoral cycle.
As the House of Representatives continues to witness party realignments across the country, attention is now focused on whether more Oyo politicians loyal to Governor Makinde will formally join the APM in the coming weeks and how the development may affect the balance of power within both the state and national political structures.
