KEY POINTS

• Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has officially defected from the PDP to the ruling APC.

• Mimiko announced his decision in Ondo State, saying he wants to support national development and President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

• The APC says his defection will strengthen the party’s influence and political structure in Ondo State.

Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mimiko, who governed Ondo State from 2009 to 2017, announced his defection on Thursday at the APC Ward 7 Secretariat in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

Before joining the APC, Mimiko had resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party in April, signalling his exit from the opposition party after years of political involvement.

His formal entry into the APC confirms a new phase in his political journey as Nigeria gradually enters another election cycle.

According to him, his decision was driven by the need to contribute to national development and support ongoing government reforms.

Mimiko said he was encouraged by what he described as efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lay a foundation for long-term economic and social development, despite current national challenges.

He also expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing his alignment with the APC as part of a broader commitment to national progress.

APC Welcomes High-Profile Defection

The leadership of the APC in Ondo State welcomed Mimiko’s defection, describing it as a major boost to the party’s political strength in the region.

The State Chairman of the APC, Kolawole Babatunde, praised the former governor’s leadership credentials and his contributions to governance and development in Ondo State.

He added that Mimiko’s arrival would further consolidate the party’s influence and improve its chances in upcoming elections.