In a significant political realignment, former Governor of Ekiti State, Olusegun (Segun) Oni, has officially left the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The high-profile defection was formalized through the party's ongoing electronic registration exercise at his country home in Ifaki Ekiti.
A Major Boost for APC's Registration Drive
The development was announced on Monday, January 12, 2026, by Adesola Adedayo, the coordinator of the APC's e-registration exercise in Ekiti State. Adedayo, who also serves as the state's Commissioner for Youth Development, commended the former governor for his decision to join the progressive fold.
He revealed that Oni had completed his registration on Sunday, January 11, describing the event as a substantial momentum boost for the party's membership drive within the state. The registration exercise is a critical part of the APC's strategy to solidify its structure ahead of future electoral contests.
Oni's Political Journey: From PDP to SDP, Now APC
Segun Oni's political trajectory is a notable one in the South-West political landscape. He first governed Ekiti State from 2007 to 2010 under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After a period outside the governorship seat, he re-emerged as the governorship candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2022 election.
His latest move to the APC marks another pivotal shift, aligning himself with the party at the federal level and in his home state. Analysts see this as part of a broader trend of political consolidation by the APC, aiming to absorb influential figures from opposition camps.
Implications for Ekiti and National Politics
The defection of a figure of Oni's stature is expected to have ripple effects. It potentially strengthens the APC's grassroots appeal in Ekiti State and could influence the political calculations of other stakeholders in the region. Such movements are often strategic ahead of election cycles, as parties seek to present a united front and leverage local influence.
This development underscores the dynamic and fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances and party affiliations can shift based on evolving political equations and strategic interests. The APC's active e-registration campaign appears to be yielding significant results, with the addition of former governors being a key metric of success.
