APC Leaders Publicly Dump Wole Oke, Anoint New Hopeful — Odeyemi Claims

Prince Diran Odeyemi, a former deputy national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has claimed that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obokun local government area of Osun state have openly withdrawn support for Wole Oke ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election.

In a political commentary circulating on Thursday, Odeyemi said the Obokun APC Leaders Forum unanimously endorsed Barrister Seun Odofin as their preferred candidate for the Oriade-Obokun federal constituency, describing the move as a clear rejection of what he called “politics of entitlement.”

According to him, the endorsement was made publicly during the forum’s regular meeting in Imesi-Ile, where a motion was moved, seconded and affirmed in favour of Odofin, with leaders openly stating their reasons.

Odeyemi said the group cited Odofin’s loyalty to the party, consistent engagement with its structure and sustained moral and financial contributions over the past year and a half.

He argued that the development reflects growing resistance within party ranks to imposition and automatic ticketing, particularly for long-serving legislators.

The PDP chief recalled that Oke had spent over two decades in the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP before defecting, following the party’s decision to open up its ticket to other aspirants through primaries.

He maintained that the PDP’s insistence on internal competition was not a denial of opportunity but a call for democratic process, adding that Oke’s defection at that point sent a political signal that the issue was competition, not persecution.

The former PDP spokesman said the Obokun endorsement goes beyond personal rivalry, framing it as a statement about party discipline, internal democracy and respect for grassroots structures.

He noted that when party leaders publicly emphasise loyalty and sacrifice, it is often a reflection of dissatisfaction with perceived entitlement.

Odeyemi challenged Oke to test his popularity through an open primary, saying democratic relevance is proven by contest, not by reliance on godfathers or negotiated tickets.

And, added that the Oriade-Obokun constituency is not a personal preserve but a democratic space where leadership must be earned.

The APC leadership in the constituency has not issued an official statement on the matter, while Oke is yet to publicly respond to the claims