PDP Suffers Major Blow as Over 1000 Union Leaders Defect to APC in Ondo

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The political landscape in Ondo State shifted noticeably after a large number of grassroots leaders left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

More than one thousand individuals drawn from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) across the state’s 18 local government areas announced their decision to abandon the PDP. Their formal reception took place at the APC state headquarters located in Akure.

According to Gossip News Now, the development represents a major setback for the PDP in the state as the ruling party continues to expand its political influence through new alliances and defections.

The defectors were welcomed by Ade Adetimehin, the APC chairman in Ondo State, who described the development as another sign of growing support for the ruling party.

While addressing the group, the APC leader encouraged the new members to immediately return to their respective communities and begin political mobilisation activities ahead of the next presidential election cycle.

Adetimehin emphasised that the APC does not operate a hierarchy that separates old members from new entrants, noting that everyone in the party has equal opportunities.

He explained that individual dedication and contribution to the party would determine recognition and political reward within the APC structure.

Reasons Behind the Defection

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ojo Adewole, who represented the transport union leaders, explained the motivations behind their decision to switch political allegiance.

He said the group was influenced by several factors, particularly developments they believe have improved transportation and infrastructure across parts of the country.

Among the key issues mentioned by the defectors were:

Progress on major highway construction projects
Ongoing expansion of key transportation routes in the region
Leadership influence from prominent government officials
Confidence in future infrastructure plans

Adewole specifically highlighted the impact of road construction projects, explaining that improvements in transportation networks directly affect the livelihood of transport workers.

He mentioned that projects such as the Benin–Ilesa Expressway dualisation, the Ore–Ondo–Akure road expansion, and the proposed coastal highway project were important factors that influenced their decision.

According to him, people working in the transport sector experience the benefits of road development more directly than many other professions.

Praise for Government Officials

The union leaders also commended the leadership style of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whom they credited with demonstrating commitment to the development of Ondo State.

Adewole stated that the minister’s involvement in state development efforts has strengthened confidence among many grassroots stakeholders.

He further assured the APC leadership that the group intends to actively support the party in future elections.

The defectors pledged to mobilise voters within their communities in order to contribute to electoral victories in upcoming political contests.

Commentary and Analysis

Large-scale defections often play a significant role in reshaping political dynamics at the state level. When grassroots leaders and organised groups move from one party to another, the shift can influence voter mobilisation and campaign structures.

Transport unions in particular tend to wield considerable grassroots influence due to their daily interaction with communities across multiple local government areas.

For the PDP in Ondo State, the departure of such a large number of local leaders may pose organisational challenges. However, political defections are also common in Nigeria’s evolving party system, where alliances frequently change based on political interests and policy perceptions.

As the country gradually moves closer to the 2027 elections, developments like these could become increasingly important in determining the balance of political strength across different regions.