In a move that highlights the crisis in the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), especially in the Southwest, its 2023 gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Popoola Olukayode Joshua, popularly called POJ, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Federal Controller of Works in Lagos was until 2022, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before leaving for NNPP in the hope of unseating the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde at the 2023 general elections.

As APC in the state strategises to dislodge the PDP in the 2027 election, Popoola announced his defection when he joined the party from his ward, Ward 10, in Ibadan North East Local Council yesterday.

While being welcomed into the party by the Oyo State APC chairman, Alhaji Abass Olaide, at the party secretariat, POJ, who was accompanied by the former Chairman of the State NNPP, Adegbola Adesesan; former chairman of Lagelu Local Council, Ade Adewuyi, among others, said he decided to join forces with APC stalwarts to deliver the state to the party in the coming election.

Recall that the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje had, last month, called on party members across the country to prioritise the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, describing it as a “task that must be done.”

Speaking during a meeting with Oyo state APC stakeholders in Abuja, Ganduje also directed the party to intensify efforts to reclaim the state from the PDP in the 2027 elections.

The meeting had in attendance the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, members of the state’s National Assembly caucus, the acting state chairman, and other party chieftains.