Former Ekiti Governor Segun Oni Defects to APC, Boosts Party’s E-Registration Drive
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Olusegun Oni, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), registering with the party at his country home in Ifaki Ekiti.
Akahi News gathered that Oni completed his registration on Sunday as part of the ongoing APC e-registration exercise in Ekiti State, marking a significant political realignment ahead of future elections.
APC Welcomes Defection
The Coordinator of the APC e-registration exercise in Ekiti State, Adesola Adedayo, disclosed the development in Ado Ekiti on Monday. Adedayo, who also serves as the state Commissioner for Youth Development, described Oni’s decision as a major boost to the party’s registration programme and its growing “progressive family” in the state.
He noted that the former governor’s registration has further energised the e-registration exercise, particularly at the grassroots level.
Political Profile of Segun Oni
Oni served as Governor of Ekiti State between 2007 and 2010 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2022 Ekiti governorship election.
Adedayo described him as “a resourceful and popular leader” whose entry into the APC would add tremendous value to the party and strengthen its winning streak in the state.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
According to the commissioner, Oni’s defection from the SDP to the APC represents a “seismic shift” in Ekiti’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship poll and the 2027 general elections.
He congratulated the APC family on what he termed a huge political gain, noting that the former governor’s grassroots appeal would help attract more members into the party at a critical time.
Strengthening Grassroots Mobilisation
Adedayo urged party leaders not to be complacent, stressing the need for sustained and aggressive mobilisation to further strengthen the APC’s numerical strength at the grassroots.
He added that Oni’s registration came barely 24 hours after Governor Biodun Oyebanji revalidated his APC membership, an action he said underscored the party’s unity and preparedness for upcoming elections.
E-Registration Key to Party Growth
While rallying members to participate in the ongoing e-registration exercise, the commissioner emphasised that the process was crucial for proper documentation, party structure, and future electoral success.
“This exercise is very important as it will strengthen our party’s structures and ensure proper documentation of members at the grassroots,” Adedayo said.
He further noted that sustained membership drives are central to the viability of any political party, adding that the e-registration exercise is also critical to Governor Oyebanji’s re-election bid in the June 20 governorship election.
As political activities intensify in Ekiti State, observers say the defection of a former governor to the ruling party could reshape alignments and influence voter dynamics ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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