Former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Olusegun Oni, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, formally registering with the party at his country home in Ifaki Ekiti, Ido Osi Local Government Area of the state.
The defection came barely a day after Governor Biodun Oyebanji revalidated his membership of the APC and urged party members across the state to intensify mobilisation efforts at the grassroots ahead of future elections.
Oni, who governed Ekiti State between 2007 and 2010 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, later emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2022 election, where he came second behind Governor Oyebanji.
Confirming Oni’s registration, the Coordinator of the APC e registration exercise in Ekiti State, Mr Gold Adesola Adedayo, described the former governor’s defection as a major boost to the party’s electronic membership drive and its overall strength in the state.
Adedayo, who is also the Commissioner for Youth Development, said Oni remained a respected and influential political figure, particularly at the grassroots, noting that his presence in the APC would attract more supporters and consolidate the party’s base across Ekiti communities.
He said, “We have registered former governor Segun Oni as a member of our great party. This is a significant political move that will further strengthen our ongoing online registration exercise in Ekiti.
“When it comes to grassroots politics, former governor Oni is highly respected and well loved. Having someone of his calibre join us at this time is a big plus for the APC and for our mobilisation efforts.”
The commissioner added that Oni’s defection would further enhance the party’s chances ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election and the 2027 general elections, describing the move as a major realignment in Ekiti’s political landscape.
Adedayo also urged party leaders and members not to relent in their efforts, stressing that sustained mobilisation and unity at the local level were critical to maintaining the APC’s dominance in the state.
