Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Akin Ogunbiyi, on Thursday led a group of defectors—including kinsmen of Governor Ademola Adeleke—from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Ogunbiyi also formally declared his intention to contest the governorship seat under the APC and presented his manifesto to the party leadership at the state secretariat in Osogbo.
He was received by the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, alongside Halilu Ibrahim, a representative from the party’s national secretariat.
Addressing party members, Ogunbiyi said: “I have come here today to declare my interest in the gubernatorial race and to present my manifesto. I appeal to all members to conduct themselves peacefully during the ticket contest. One candidate will eventually emerge, and we must all unite to support that person. We owe it to Osun to end this era of unserious governance.”
“However, I believe I stand as a unifying factor for all the aspirants for APC in Osun State, I have my people across the state and I enjoy a lot of goodwill.”
He commended the leadership of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and Chief Bisi Akande for their leadership role in APC.
Reacting to Adeleke’s defection rumour into APC, he said “My governorship aspiration is not threatened at all and I am not worried that the current governor is struggling to come to the APC, our party is a winning team and you can see what is happening at the national level. People are declaring for APC in the country.
“President Bola Tinubu’s approach to governance is progressive for development which is making every sector, state and local government to get federal government touch. Adeleke is a serving governor and he can come to the APC, the most important thing is to wrestle power from PDP.”
Subsequently, Ogunbiyi ushered a leader of PDP in Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, Hon. Adebayo Adediran at Ward 4, Alajue alongside 1,100 followers into the APC.
Representative from APC National, Ibrahim received defectors into APC and boasted that APC will emerge victorious in 2026 Osun guber race.