By Sulayman Nafiu
In a momentous political upheaval, the public has been inundated with the seismic news of the Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC and former Governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the 2022 gubernatorial election in Osun state, defecting to the ranks of the APC. Akin Ogunbiyi, once a major stakeholder and gubernatorial aspirant within the PDP during the 2018 period, had fervently vied for the primary election against none other than the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
However, Ogunbiyi’s aspirations were cruelly quashed and subverted in a ghastly display of electoral malfeasance, colloquially known as the “daybreak“ robbery, an audacious affront to the very essence of democracy, orchestrated with brazen impunity at GMT Hotel Osogbo.
The ramifications of this treacherous act resonated beyond the confines of that single election, as the unsettling echoes of electoral injustice rang out loud and clear, enraging the masses (supporters) and striking at the very heart of democratic principles enshrined by the party’s revered founding fathers. Consequently, compelled by a resolute sense of justice and a desire to find sanctuary in a party more aligned with his core beliefs, Ogunbiyi was impelled to seek refuge within the Accord party before the critical July 16, 2022, gubernatorial election in the state.
However, the political landscape is ever-shifting, and the winds of change can be unpredictable. Ogunbiyi’s recent transition to the APC is a momentous development that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of power. Driven by a profound belief in the ideological underpinnings of the APC, his defection stands as an unequivocal testament to the metamorphic dynamism of politics. This high-profile shift comes at a pivotal juncture when the APC, keenly aware of the approaching 2026 election, is diligently and meticulously crafting its strategies to seize the reins of power yet again.
For the APC, Ogunbiyi’s inclusion is an immense boon, fortifying their ranks with a seasoned and influential figure. His defection has been received as a political coup, an act of strategic prowess that holds the potential to tip the scales in favour of the APC in Osun state and beyond. While the APC celebrates this gain, the PDP mourns the loss of a prominent and influential member, further exacerbating the internal struggles (suffering and smiling) that plague the party.
The timing of Ogunbiyi’s entry into the APC could not be more auspicious. The party is currently revelling in an aura of “renewed hope” under the dynamic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. As the charismatic figurehead propels the party forward, Ogunbiyi’s expertise, experience, and vast network of supporters are poised to invigorate the APC’s trajectory in Osun state, breathing new life into their ambitions on a national scale.
Indeed, the repercussions of Ogunbiyi’s defection extend far beyond the borders of Osun state. The prevailing political climate in Nigeria is fraught with tension, and the jostling for power is unyielding. In this charged atmosphere, Ogunbiyi’s presence within the APC sends a clear message of political realignment and recalibration, redrawing the contours of power dynamics and amplifying the stakes for all parties involved.
As a seasoned political watcher, I aptly highlight the magnitude of this extraordinary turn of events. Ogunbiyi’s defection, a tale imbued with strategic calculation, is emblematic of the fluidity and unpredictability that defines the world of politics. The reverberations of this seismic shift will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, shaping the political landscape of Osun State and Nigeria at large. It remains to be seen how this move will shape the future political landscape and influence the state’s development trajectory.
© Sulayman Nafiu, a political analyst. He wrote from Osogbo
