The Labour Party Deputy Governorship candidate in the last Ondo State election, Hon. Dayo Awude, has formally collapsed his political structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC), taking along his supporters and prominent leaders from other political parties.
Awude, a former Commissioner and one-time State Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced the move on Monday, August 11, 2025, at a ceremony held at the Akure City Hall. The defection was carried out under the platform of the Sunshine Grassroots Network and involved members from the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In his welcome remarks, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa congratulated the defectors, describing their decision as wise and strategic for the political future of Ondo State.
“In Ondo State, there is no room for coalition, it is one APC. People join political parties for different reasons, but the interest of the party must always supersede every other interest, and for us in the APC, that interest is to retain power,” the Governor said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to achieve victory in 2027, citing the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level and his own administration’s record in Ondo State.
“The whole of Ondo State is for President Tinubu come 2027, and the decision of these defectors to join us today is a strong step towards that goal,” he added.
Speaking on his defection, Hon. Awude said he joined the APC because of his alignment with the progressive ideals and developmental agenda of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
“I have joined the APC to add value, and I assure Mr. Governor that he will see it. I urge all our members to return to their units and wards to fully integrate themselves. I am here for progress, to support President Bola Tinubu and to support the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa,” Awude stated.
Another defector, Dele Ogunbameru, former Secretary of the SDP, said he had faced challenges in his former party and felt at home in the APC. He pledged to contribute his experience to strengthen the ruling party.
Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, described Hon. Awude as a man of capacity and urged all new members to focus on grassroots mobilisation.
“Any politician who cannot deliver his unit and ward is not a politician. On behalf of the National Chairman of our party, I formally welcome you into the APC and hand you over to the Leader of our party in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa,” Adetimehin said.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; House of Representatives member for Akure North/Akure South, Hon. Derin Adesida; Akure South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Fasua; members of the State Executive Council; APC leaders; and other dignitaries.
