Gists
Ex-Allies Hit Rep Member Wole Oke With New Nickname
multiple-term legislator, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress
Ex-Allies Hit Reps Member Wole Oke With New Nickname After APC Switch
Federal House of Representatives member from Osun State, Wole Oke, has been handed a new nickname by members of his former party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The multiple-term legislator, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after years on the PDP platform, is now being tagged “Data Boy”—a name rooted in Nigeria’s social media-driven political culture.
According to those behind the label, the nickname reflects Oke’s newfound zeal in promoting the APC online.
Since his defection, the lawmaker has become one of the most visible digital voices of the ruling party in Osun State, consistently pushing narratives that paint the APC as the preferred choice for the state.
The term “Data Boys” is commonly used to describe politically active individuals who flood social media platforms with content defending, attacking, or amplifying the agendas of their principals or parties.
These individuals are often said to receive stipends and mobile data allowances to remain online and active—hence the moniker.
Some PDP members have openly used the nickname to troll Oke on his social media pages(particularly Facebook), while others have picked up the term and spread it across digital platforms.
“And Oke’s men have also not hesitated to clap back at such individuals,” a source familiar with the online exchanges revealed.
Observers note that Oke’s online activism is strategic. With the APC eyeing a return to power in Osun in the 2026 gubernatorial election, prominent defectors like Oke are under pressure to demonstrate their political value—both on the ground and in the digital space.
Currently, the APC controls the federal government, while the PDP governs Osun State under Governor Ademola Adeleke, who narrowly defeated APC incumbent Gboyega Oyetola in 2022.
Adeleke is seeking a second term, and the APC is determined to reclaim the state as a show of strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“New entrants like Oke want to prove their worth quickly,” one political observer noted. “That’s why he’s unrelenting in pushing the APC brand, especially online—an effort that’s now earned him the ‘Data Boy’ title, whether mockingly or not.” according an observer.
