Hon. Phillip Olasupo, popularly known as Kasupo, a political chieftain of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency and Accord Party’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate, has led over 3,000 members of the Accord Party across Oyo State into the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), declaring their support for Governor Seyi Makinde and the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The defectors, drawn from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State, were formally received into the APM on Friday at a well-attended ceremony held at the party’s secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State APM Chairman, Otunba Peter Fagbenro, described the development as a significant boost to the party, reaffirming that the state chapter remained united and was the only structure recognised by the party’s national leadership.
Fagbenro assured the new members of a united political platform, stressing that there was no faction within the party. He urged members to close ranks, intensify grassroots mobilisation and work collectively towards securing victory at the polls.
He also encouraged eligible residents who had yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so, describing the voter card as the people’s instrument of political power.
Welcoming the defectors, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi, alongside Hon. Wasiu Adeleke, expressed appreciation for their decision to join the APM and assured them of full integration into the party’s activities.
They described APM as a political platform with a clear vision and direction, promising that the new entrants would have opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the party’s growth and electoral success.
Also speaking, the APM deputy governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Mufutau Open Salawu, described the defection as a welcome development that would strengthen the party’s political base across the state.
Salawu noted that the collaboration of political stakeholders from the 33 local government areas would improve the party’s chances, particularly across the state’s 351 wards. He urged the new members to put aside individual differences and remain committed to the party’s collective ambition.
He further called on them to support Governor Makinde’s continuity agenda, assuring that the party would not disappoint the people of Oyo State if elected.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Kasupo said their decision to leave the Accord Party was informed by the lingering legal battles and internal crises confronting the party, particularly with less than 75 days to the election.
According to him, the defectors were unwilling to remain in a political platform surrounded by uncertainty when the forthcoming election required a party with stability, direction and a clear electoral prospect.
He said, “As you all know, the Accord Party is currently facing a number of court cases and internal crises, with less than 75 days to the election. We do not want to remain in such a situation. We want to join a party that we are confident can win the coming election.”
Kasupo further explained that their decision to align with APM was also driven by their confidence in Governor Makinde’s administration, particularly its achievements in infrastructure and human capital development.
“We believe in Governor Seyi Makinde’s continuity agenda because of his track record in infrastructural and human capital development. We are confident of victory with our decision to join APM,” he stated.
The former Accord House of Representatives candidate disclosed that the delegation comprised more than 3,000 members from across the 33 local government areas, including state executive members and youth leaders, underscoring the widespread nature of the political realignment.
He added that youth leaders from all the local government areas were also represented at the defection ceremony.
The defectors were formally received into the APM by Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, a party chieftain and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
