In a major political realignment in Osun State, more than 20,000 members of the Omisore Youth Support Forum (OYSF) have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the PDP as their “true political home.”
To affirm their defection from the opposition party, the young politicians have renamed the group after the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, (Adeleke Youth Support Forum (AYSF),
They announced the development during a formal reception ceremony held at the PDP State Secretariat in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
OYSF was originally formed as a mobilization structure for the governorship ambition of former Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore, who had aligned with the APC ahead of the 2018 governorship rerun. The group has grassroots presence across all 30 local government areas of Osun State.
Speaking on behalf of the group, State Coordinator of OYSF, Mr. Solomon Fasogbon, lamented the group’s experience in the APC, calling it “harrowing and terrible.” He explained that the return to PDP was inspired by the positive transformation currently being witnessed under the Adeleke administration.
“We have come back to our original base. The people-friendly policies of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, have reshaped Osun’s socio-economic landscape. Supporting his second-term bid is the only way to consolidate these gains,” Fasogbon declared.
Receiving the decampees, Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, described the development as a homecoming. He commended the group for retracing their steps and called on them to integrate seamlessly with existing youth structures within the party.
“You are not strangers here. Many of you started your political journey in the PDP before being misled into the den of political devourers,” Bisi said. “This is your home, and together we shall work to sustain the progress being achieved under the leadership of Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.”
Also speaking at the event, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuff, urged PDP supporters to remain resilient and avoid intimidation from the opposition.
“We must not hand over the future of our dear state to misfits who neither understand governance nor care about Osun’s development. This state deserves focused and people-centered leadership, which Governor Adeleke is currently providing,” Yusuff said.
The defection event was attended by prominent PDP chieftains, including members of the State Working Committee, State Executive Council, Local Government Chairmen, and Party Chairmen from all the 30 LGAs of Osun State.
