A prominent member of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress in Ogun State has defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, accusing the state government of marginalizing the Egba people.
Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem, chairman of the Egba Agenda Forum and an APC chieftain from Abeokuta South, announced his defection on Thursday alongside his supporters during an event in Abeokuta endorsing the PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.
Abdulhakeem said the decision was driven by what he described as the exclusion of Egbaland from key political and developmental opportunities under the administration of Gov. Dapo Abiodun.
“For more than seven years, the Egba people have been largely sidelined in the affairs of the state,” Abdulhakeem said, alleging that there were efforts to prevent Egbaland from producing the state’s leadership for an extended period.
He argued that the Egba people, whom he described as one of the largest and most influential groups in Ogun State, deserved greater representation and inclusion in government.
Abdulhakeem praised Adebutu’s choice of Sowunmi-Kolapo as his running mate, describing the move as a demonstration of fairness and inclusive leadership.
He also said Adebutu had pledged to appoint an Egba son or daughter as Secretary to the State Government if elected.
“Our position is simple: Ogun must be for Ogun people,” Abdulhakeem said as he formally endorsed the PDP ticket on behalf of the MAO Movement for Change and the Egba Agenda Forum.
In his remarks, Adebutu promised that his administration would prioritize transparency, strengthen local government autonomy and improve electricity infrastructure across the state.
He said reliable electricity was critical to economic growth and noted that he had facilitated the distribution of transformers to communities across Ogun’s 20 local government areas.
Also speaking at the event, PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Sen. Iyabo Obasanjo, urged Egba residents to remain united and reject what she described as political marginalization.
“The PDP is a party that is ready to give power to the people,” Obasanjo said, calling on voters to support the opposition party in the forthcoming election.
The defections add a new dimension to the political contest in Ogun State as parties intensify campaigns ahead of the next governorship election.
