Several chieftains of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors include the SDP candidate for Oluyole State Constituency in the 2023 election, Mogaji Saheed Oyewale, and the party’s chairmanship candidate in the 2024 local government election, David Arowolo.

Others are the former SDP chairman in Oluyole, Ganiyu Lawal; Secretary, Adetunji Adewale; Women Leader, Taiwo Lasisi; Youth Leader, Muritala Jeje; and Public Relations Officer, Afeez Agbongbon.

All members of the party’s local government and ward executive committees across the 10 electoral wards in Oluyole were also reported to have joined the APC.

The former SDP members announced their defection during a visit to the APC state secretariat in Ibadan on Tuesday. They were received by the state APC chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo.

Oyewale, who led the defectors, said their decision was driven by a desire to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and contribute to what he described as efforts to build a better Nigeria.

“We decided to join the APC because we appreciate the good work of President Tinubu and, as patriots, we cannot afford to stay away when we can be part of the success story,” he said.

Oyewale also claimed that more SDP members would soon join the APC, saying the defectors were committed to helping the party secure victory in the 2027 elections.