The political landscape in Oyo State witnessed fresh defections in the aftermath of the March 28, 2015 presidential election, following the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
With the APC emerging victorious at the presidential poll, some politicians and political supporters in the state reportedly began realigning with the party, while others explored alternative political platforms ahead of the remaining elections.
Among those reported to have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was Hon. Folake Olunloyo, who contested the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency seat under the PDP in the 2015 National Assembly election.
Also reported to have joined the APC was a former member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State, Hon. Tayo Sarumi.
Sarumi had previously been associated with the PDP before moving to the Accord party and subsequently aligning with the APC.
His movement was said to have been accompanied by some of his political associates and supporters, adding to the growing list of political realignments in the state following the presidential election.
Meanwhile, another prominent figure associated with the PDP, Hon. Kehinde Olaosebikan, was also reported to have left the party, although his reported destination was the Accord party rather than the APC.
Olaosebikan, a former caretaker chairman of Oluyole Local Government and a known political mobiliser in Oyo State, was among the figures whose political movements attracted attention as parties repositioned themselves ahead of the governorship and state assembly elections.
The wave of defections reflected the fluid nature of Nigerian politics at the time, with politicians and their supporters reassessing their political affiliations following the outcome of the presidential election.
In Oyo State, the movement of prominent politicians across party lines added another layer of uncertainty to an already keenly contested political season, with the PDP, APC and Accord all seeking to consolidate their positions ahead of the April 11 elections.
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