Yayi Garners More  Support  as Alhaji Sunmola Adewale Defects to APC, Declares PDP Politically Finished in Yewa South

..… Ogun Deputy Speaker Calls for Inclusive Campaign

…Reveals Why He Dumped PDP for APC, Backed Yayi’s Governorship Bid

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – A former Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji (Chief) Sunmola Kayode Adewale, popularly known as “Express,” has declared that PDP has effectively lost its political relevance in Yewa South following his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during a grand reception organised in his honour at the Oronna Town Hall, Ilaro-Yewa, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Adewale confidently stated that the PDP would no longer constitute a formidable political force in the local government, assuring APC leaders that he and his supporters were fully committed to strengthening the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Declaring his total allegiance to the APC, Adewale said his defection marked the end of the PDP’s political dominance in Yewa South.

“Now that I am in the APC, I want to assure you that there is no more PDP in Yewa South Local Government”, he declared.

He pledged to mobilise massive support for the APC and work tirelessly to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, the Ogun State APC governorship candidate, and all other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, described Alhaji Sunmola Adewale as a loyal, dependable and principled politician whose political career has consistently reflected commitment to equity, justice and fairness.

She commended his decision to join the APC, noting that it was inspired by his conviction to work with progressive-minded leaders in advancing the aspiration of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi to become the next Governor of Ogun State – an ambition she described as long overdue for Ogun West since the creation of the state more than five decades ago.

According to the Deputy Speaker, Adewale’s decision was motivated by his passion for the development of Yewa South, Ogun State and Nigeria, rather than by personal gain or financial considerations.

She recalled that during his tenure as Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Adewale promoted inclusive governance by ensuring fairness in the distribution of the dividends of democracy.

“He is my leader. During his tenure as Yewa South Council Chairman, Alhaji Sunmola Adewale ensured equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of the dividends of democracy.

“Many of us who served under his leadership were positively impacted. Those who did not build houses were able to invest in other valuable assets”, she said.

Rt. Hon. Ajayi urged APC members to sustain an inclusive political culture capable of attracting more people into the party, stressing that unity, tolerance and accommodation remained indispensable to the continued growth and success of the APC.

She also appealed to both old and new members of the party to remain united and committed towards ensuring victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Earlier, the Chairman of the APC in Yewa South Local Government, Hon. Kayode Salako, formally welcomed Adewale and his supporters into the party, assuring them that the APC remained one united family founded on fairness, love and collective progress.

He advised the new entrants to remain patient and committed to the ideals of the party, while cautioning members against complacency despite the APC’s growing popularity across the local government.

According to Salako, continuous grassroots mobilisation would be crucial to securing overwhelming victories for the APC in future elections.

“Today, we have become one family. The leadership of the party will continue to ensure that no member is denied his or her fair share of the dividends of democracy. There is enough for everyone to benefit”, he stated.

Also speaking, APC chieftain Chief (Mrs.) Matilda Apampa described Alhaji Sunmola Adewale as a compassionate leader and generous politician whose kindness transcended party lines.

She recalled that while Adewale served as Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, he demonstrated uncommon political maturity by ensuring she benefited from government opportunities despite belonging to a different political party.

“When he was the Yewa South Council Chairman, Adewale regularly demonstrated politics of inclusiveness by ensuring I received my own share of the dividends of democracy even though we belonged to different political parties.

“Today, my dear brother, I promise that, by the grace of God, I will reciprocate the kindness you extended to me when you held sway as Yewa South Local Government Chairman”, she said.

In his remarks, APC chieftain Otunba Tunji Idowu expressed delight over Adewale’s return to what he described as his original political home.

He described the former council chairman as an outstanding grassroots mobiliser with proven capacity to deliver electoral victories.

“Candidly, I am full of joy that my former boss has returned to where he truly belongs. Alhaji Sunmola Adewale is undoubtedly a valuable asset when it comes to mobilisation and winning elections”, he said.

Otunba Idowu expressed optimism that more politicians and their supporters would defect to the APC in the coming months and urged members of the opposition to embrace progressive politics for the overall development of Yewa South.

He also called on APC members across Ogun West to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi as Governor of Ogun State, and the victory of all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Addressing journalists after the programme, former Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Hon. Adewale Sunmola, explained the reasons behind his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as his support for the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi).

According to him:
“I sincerely believe that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) is God’s instrument for Ogun West at this critical period. His developmental projects speak for themselves.

“The road leading to my residence was transformed into a modern tarred road with quality street lighting long before I joined his camp. That singular act further convinced me that Senator Adeola Yayi is not driven by politics of bitterness or exclusion, but by inclusiveness and genuine service.

“Similar developmental projects are spread across Ilaro, Yewaland, Ogun West and other parts of Ogun State. These are visible achievements that the people can see and appreciate.

“When APC stakeholders adopted him as the consensus governorship candidate, I saw another opportunity for Ogun West to realise its long-awaited aspiration. I became convinced that supporting him was the right thing to do.

“I reflected deeply on my political journey and concluded that it would be incomplete if Ogun West eventually produced the governor without my contribution.

“Another major factor was the legacy left behind by my late father, Alhaji Sanni Adewale Balogun (Ò Gẹ̀ṣin Kàràkàrà Wòdò), the Balogun Adinni of the Ilaro Central Mosque, Ilaro-Yewa. He was widely respected for his integrity and selfless service.

“I lost him when I was only twelve years old, yet his good name continued to open doors for me.

“When I contested for the chairmanship of Yewa South Local Government in 1998, many people supported me because they remembered my father’s exemplary character. They would often say, ‘Baba rẹ náà ò jẹ́ bẹ́ẹ̀’ (His father was never like that).

“Today, I also want to leave behind a worthy legacy for my own children. I do not want history to record that when Yewa united in pursuit of its governorship aspiration, I stood on the opposite side. That realisation greatly influenced my decision.”

Among the Yewa South APC stakeholders who graced the event were the Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi; Chief (Mrs.) Iyabode Apampa; Alhaji Fatai Olayode; Hon. Kayode Salako; Otunba Tunji Idowu; Hon. Raheem Balogun; Dr. Moruf Akinola; Hon. Wasiu Olawunmi; Hon. Kabiru Jimoh; Hon. Jimoh Taiwo; Hon. Tunde Okewole; Hon.Lukmon Ibrahim; Hon. Ogunsola Victor Olakunle; Mrs, Abimbola Akintujoye; Elhadj (Otunba) Abu-Satar Idowu Hamed; Yewa South APC ward chairmen; a large number of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and APC members drawn from across Yewa South Local Government Area, among many other party faithful and supporters.

Following the official declaration, guests were treated to a colourful reception held at the swimming pool side of the ultra-modern Alhaji AbdulGaffar Adeola Ogunleye Hall at the Recreation Club, Ilaro (RCI), a facility facilitated by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi for the relaxation of retired senior civil servants and members of the community.

Members of the Recreation Club and other invited guests spoke glowingly about Adewale’s achievements during his tenure as Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, describing him as a visionary administrator and grassroots-oriented leader.

The reception was chaired by Mr. Gori Adeyinka, former Principal of Yewa (Egbado) College, Ilaro, and Chairman of the Recreation Club Elder Council, whose presence, alongside several prominent personalities, underscored Adewale’s enduring influence across political and social circles.

Political observers at the event noted that Adewale’s formal admission into the APC would further strengthen the party’s grassroots structure and significantly enhance its electoral fortunes in Yewa South ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They described him as an experienced grassroots mobiliser with an impressive political network capable of attracting more supporters into the APC.

The event assumed a carnival atmosphere, featuring vibrant traditional performances, including Gẹlẹdẹ masquerade displays, Èèsò cultural performances, music and dance, all of which added colour and excitement to what many participants described as one of the biggest political gatherings witnessed in Yewa South in recent times.

For many who attended, the official declaration of Alhaji (Chief) Sunmola Kayode Adewale (Express) into the APC will remain a memorable political event, symbolising a significant realignment in the political landscape of Yewa South Local Government ahead of the 2027 general elections.