By Kanu Samuel
Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a significant political development that could reshape Ondo State politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mimiko, a former presidential candidate and one of the state’s most influential political figures, was officially received into the ruling party at the APC Ward 7 Secretariat in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo City, in the presence of party leaders, supporters and political associates.
His defection comes weeks after he formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing months of speculation over his political future to an end and signalling what many observers regard as a strategic alignment with the ruling party at both state and federal levels.
Speaking shortly after his formal admission into the APC, Mimiko said his decision was motivated by the need to support what he described as the progressive reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There are many positive things being done by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration and, although much more still needs to be achieved, I am joining to lend my support to ongoing efforts to keep Nigeria on the path of peace, progress and genuine development,” he said.
The former governor particularly commended the Federal Government’s Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative, describing it as a bold intervention aimed at widening access to education for Nigerian students.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts towards decentralised policing, noting that, as a long-standing advocate of state policing, the Tinubu administration’s push in that direction strongly influenced his decision to join the APC.
“The NELFUND initiative to widen access to education is commendable and deserves praise. For someone like me who has consistently supported state police, the current efforts to decentralise policing are another reason I am pleased to be part of this national rebuilding effort,” Mimiko added.
Mimiko’s entry into the APC is widely regarded as a major political development in Ondo State, especially as many of his loyalists and close political associates had earlier defected to the ruling party ahead of the last governorship election, while he remained in the PDP but largely inactive.
When he resigned from the PDP more than a month ago, Mimiko said he needed to end speculation surrounding his political status, acknowledging that he had become increasingly distant from the party and formally declaring that he was “no longer a member of the PDP”.
Welcoming him into the APC, the Ondo State Chairman of the party, Kolawole Babatunde, described Mimiko’s defection as a natural return to progressive politics, insisting that the former governor had always embodied progressive ideals.
“Mimiko is progressive in every sense of the word. His achievements in healthcare, education, infrastructure and governance during his time in office remain remarkable. His move into the APC is truly a homecoming,” Babatunde said.
He added that President Tinubu’s style of governance and policy initiatives continued to attract patriotic and development-minded Nigerians into the APC fold.
“President Tinubu’s initiatives are progressive and are already yielding positive results. It is not surprising that leaders with genuine concern for national development are identifying with this movement,” he noted.
Also speaking, former member of the House of Representatives for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, Joseph Iranola Akinlaja, described Mimiko’s formal entry into the APC as the final consolidation of the political movement built around the former governor.
“Many of us had earlier moved into the APC, largely with his support and understanding.
Today, we are delighted that he has officially joined us. This will strengthen our collective resolve to secure overwhelming electoral victories for President Tinubu and all APC candidates in future elections,” Akinlaja said.
Political observers believe Mimiko’s move could significantly alter political alignments in Ondo State, given his enduring grassroots influence and loyal political structure built over several decades.
The former governor was received by Ward 7 APC executives, local government party leaders and prominent APC stakeholders from Ondo East and Ondo West.
Among the dignitaries present were Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji; Commissioner for Infrastructure, Olawoye Ayorinde; Wale Akinlosotu; former Commissioner Lola Fagbemi; former Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti; Senator Gbenga Ogunniya; Biola Oladapo; current member of the House of Representatives for Ondo East/Ondo West, Abiola Makinde; Vice Chairman of Ondo West Local Government, Oluwole Bashiru, alongside several other party leaders and supporters.
With Mimiko’s formal entry into the APC, political analysts believe the ruling party has gained one of the most influential political figures in Ondo State, potentially strengthening its hold on the state and boosting preparations for future electoral contests.
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