Ahead of the 2027 political campaign season in Kwara State, Engineer Dare Bankole, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero/Ekiti Federal Constituency in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, has officially decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was formalised during a well-attended ceremony held in Ayedun, Oke Ero Local Government Area, where Bankole was received by top APC chieftains, party members, and enthusiastic supporters who welcomed him with cheers and chants.
Speaking at the event, Bankole declared, “Today marks a new beginning for me. I am proud to join a party that is truly committed to progress, transparency and development of our dear state and nation.”
He commended the leadership style of the Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, describing him as a leader who “walks the talk” and has brought visible, people-oriented development to the state.
“This is not just about leaving PDP; it is about joining a movement that is working. I have watched the governor’s strides in education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment. I want to be part of that success story,” he added.
Bankole’s defection adds to the growing list of high-profile PDP members who have recently left the party, including former Minister of Youth and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi; former House Leader in the State Assembly, Hassan Oyeleke; and the PDP’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola. Many of them cited internal crises and a lack of meritocracy within the party as reasons for their exit.
In his remarks, Hon. Tunji Olawuyi (Ajuloopin), Chairman of the House Committee on the North Central Development Commission and current representative of Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, said, “Engineer Dare Bankole’s decision to join the APC is a clear sign that our party remains the preferred choice for those who truly care about development and good governance. We are excited to welcome him into our fold, and together, we will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.”
Also speaking, the APC Chairman in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Hon. Bamidele Kayode (Ojopagogo), said, “With Bankole’s defection, the PDP structure in Ayedun is ours. This has further boosted our party’s growing strength across Kwara South. His exit is another sign that APC is the strongest party in Kwara.”
Speaking through the former TIC Chairman of Oke-Ero Local Government, Hon. Olagoke Raphael Abegunde, former Commissioner for Youth Development and APC leader in Ayedun Ward, Hon. Olabode George Towoju, welcomed Bankole to the party and stated, “I urge all our members to embrace them fully, treat them as equals, and work together as one united family for the progress of our community and the success of the APC.”
The event attracted numerous political leaders, stakeholders, and loyal party members. Among those present were Chief Ebun Afolayan, former Kwara South Senatorial Chairman of the PDP; Chief (Alh.) Fatai Adeyemi Tiamiyu, Asiwaju of Ayedun and former Auditor-General of Kwara State; Hon. Sanni Ganiyat Omolara, Vice Chairman, Irepodun Local Government Area; Hon. Bose Bankole and Hon. Adeleke Oluwafunmilayo, both former TIC Vice Chairmen of Oke-Ero Local Government Area.
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Others in attendance included Kayode Marcus Olayemi, former Member of the Rural Electrification Board; Hon. Olagoke Raphael Abegunde, former TIC Chairman of Oke-Ero LGA; Mr. Towoju Gabriel Kolawole, former Director at the Ministry of Environment; Rt. Hon. Sunday Julius Fasanmi, Deputy Speaker of the Oke-Ero Legislative Council; Mrs. Veronica Segun, a member of the Kwara State APC Executive Council; Comrade Mustapha Kareem, APC Youth Leader in Oke-Ero LGA; and Mr. George Femi Odekunle, Senior Lecturer at Kwara State Polytechnic.
The ceremony also witnessed the defection of former members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ayedun, led by their ward chairman, who, along with the party’s structure, pledged allegiance to the APC, further strengthening the progressive fold in the community.
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