The lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, on Sunday declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dead in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, following the defection of more than 1,500 of its members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oseni, who is the Chairman, House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the declaration during a colourful reception organised by the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF) to welcome the defectors from all ten wards of the council area into the APC family.
The event, held at his constituency office in Ologuneru, Ibadan, drew a large crowd of party faithful, and community leaders who lauded the lawmaker’s inclusive leadership and grassroots political mobilisation.
Prominent among the defectors were Alhaji Bolaji Nureni Adeoye, Alhaji Akande, Alhaji Rasaki Elewedu, Alhaji Kasali Akande, Alhaji Dauda Afolabi, Hon. Wasiu Ijaoye, Adekola Kasumu, Nureni Adeyeri, Hon. Busari Kolawole, Elder Ogunleye, and Alhaji Lateef Lawal, among others.
In his remarks, Oseni described the defection as the “political burial” of the PDP in Ido Local Government.
“We are doing PDP burial in Ido today,” he said. “Today is Sunday, a holy day. It means God is pleased with what we are doing here.”
The federal lawmaker noted that the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF) had become a strong political force within the APC, driving grassroots mobilisation not only in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, but across Oyo state.
“ROCOF is a moving train in Nigeria’s political history,” the APC chieftain stated. “It is unstoppable. Our mission is clear — come 2027, the APC will reclaim Oyo State and ensure the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Oseni also attributed the rising strength of the APC in his constituency to both the people-oriented policies of the Tinubu-led administration and his own legislative interventions at the grassroots.
“The APC-led Federal Government under President Tinubu has done creditably well. We, as representatives of the people, are complementing those efforts at our level,” he said.
He assured the new entrants of full integration and equal opportunities within the APC structure, noting that they were not strangers in the party and would, in due course, be formally handed over to the party leadership.
“Today, I welcome over 1,500 PDP members to the APC through ROCOF. You are not strangers here; you are home,” Oseni added.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Bolaji Adeoye said the decision to leave the PDP was inspired by the lawmaker’s credible leadership and result-driven representation.
“We are not decampees, we are returnees. We have always been with Hon. Remi Oseni. He is a record breaker and a true representative of the people,” Adeoye said. “I don’t want to remember PDP in my life again.”
Other leaders at the event pledged to mobilise more supporters into the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, describing Oseni as a promise keeper who had redefined representation with tangible results.
Earlier, Alhaji Hakeem Okedina, Senior Legislative Aide to the lawmaker, praised the courage and unity of purpose of the defectors, noting that their decision to align with the APC reflected the ongoing political realignment sweeping through Oyo State.
