Scores of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, concluded his statewide thank-you tour with a special Juma’at prayer held at his campaign office in Ibadan.

The prayer session, attended by party leaders, supporters and campaign officials, was organised to thank God for the peaceful completion of the appreciation tour across the state and to seek divine guidance ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The event also witnessed the formal reception of new members into the APM, including defectors from APC in Ido and Ibarapa East Local Government Areas.

Leading the defectors from Ido Local Government was Hon. Olumide Akinola, popularly known as Olumba, who joined the party alongside members of the Olumba Socio-Political Forum (OSPF), a grassroots political group with structures across the 12 wards of the council.

Also received into the APM were members of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), who said they left the APC over what they described as unfulfilled promises and lack of political inclusion.

Welcoming the new members, Adekanmbi assured them of equal opportunities within the party, stressing that the APM remained committed to building an inclusive political platform irrespective of members’ previous political affiliations.

He said his administration, if elected in 2027, would prioritise fairness, justice and participatory governance, adding that every stakeholder would have a sense of belonging.

“Our vision is to build a government that carries everyone along. We are committed to fairness, justice and inclusive governance where every stakeholder has a sense of belonging,” he said.

The governorship candidate urged the defectors to work closely with existing party members to strengthen the party’s structures across their respective local government areas and mobilise grassroots support ahead of the governorship election.

Adekanmbi noted that the conclusion of the statewide thank-you tour marked the beginning of a new phase of political engagement aimed at consolidating support for the party across Oyo State.

He expressed appreciation to party leaders, members and supporters for their commitment throughout the tour, saying the peaceful conduct of the exercise reflected the growing unity within the APM.