A former Governor of Ekiti State, Olusegun Oni, has officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), registering as a member at his Ifaki Ekiti country residence on Sunday.

The move comes just a day after Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, reaffirmed his membership of the party and urged party supporters across the state to intensify grassroots mobilisation to strengthen the APC.

Oni, who served as Ekiti governor from 2007 to 2010 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in 2022, finishing second to Governor Oyebanji.

Commenting on Oni’s registration, Gold Adesola Adedayo, Coordinator of the APC e-registration exercise in Ekiti State and Commissioner for Youth Development, described the development as a major boost for the party’s digital registration efforts.

Adedayo hailed Oni as a resourceful and widely respected leader whose entry into the APC would strengthen the party’s winning momentum. He further described the defection as a strategic move that could consolidate Governor Oyebanji’s chances in the June 20, 2026, governorship election.

“This is a significant political development for our ongoing online registration drive in Ekiti,” Adedayo said. “Former Governor Oni commands great respect at the grassroots. His joining the APC at this crucial moment will attract more supporters to the party and enhance our outreach efforts.”

The commissioner also highlighted the broader political implications, describing Oni’s shift from the SDP to the APC as a major realignment ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship poll and the 2027 general elections.

Adedayo urged party leaders not to become complacent in mobilisation efforts, stressing the need for sustained action to grow the APC’s grassroots presence across the state.