A leading chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, signalling what may become a major turning point in the long-standing Yewa agenda for the state’s top seat.

Akinlade made his declaration on Sunday while addressing youths during the 2025 Owode-Yewa Youth Week, a socio-cultural event held in Owode-Yewa, Ogun State. The gathering attracted traditional rulers, political leaders and prominent sons and daughters of Yewaland.

Speaking confidently about his ambition, Akinlade told the crowd that he was prepared to serve the state at the highest level. “We have many people who can develop Yewaland,” he said. “I can authoritatively tell you that it is only God that gives power. And I am assuring you in the name of Almighty Allah that I will be coming to this same event in 2027 as the Governor of the state.”

Akinlade, who currently serves as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Institutions, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced grassroots politicians in Ogun West. A strong advocate of the Yewa Governorship agenda, he also holds the traditional title of Baba Adinni of Yewaland and is known for his philanthropy and youth empowerment initiatives.

He told the audience that his longstanding relationship with the people of Ogun West and his commitment to inclusive leadership positioned him as a bridge builder across political divides. “Earlier today, I had the honour of joining my revered Kabiyesi, the Olu of Owode-Yewa, HRM Oba Matthew Akindele JP, and my brothers and sisters from Owode-Yewa to celebrate the 2025 Owode-Yewa Youth Week,” he said.

“I reaffirm my commitment to the youth of Yewaland and pledge continued support for empowerment programmes, job creation and skill-acquisition projects. Together, we will build a brighter future for Owode-Yewa and for Ogun State at large. Congratulations to all sons and daughters of Owode-Yewa on the success of this year’s celebration.”

Akinlade’s declaration is expected to reshape early political calculations within the APC as the race toward the 2027 elections begins to take form. His influence in Ogun West and his long history of political mobilisation make him one of the key aspirants to watch.

The event was attended by several notable personalities, including the Olu of Owode-Yewa, HRM Oba Matthew Akindele; Honourable Babatunde Olaotan; Chairman of Al-Hatyq Travels and Tours, Alhaji (Dr.) Mutiu Adewale Badmus; and Chairman of Julianky Petroleum, Chief Sunday Adeleye (popularly known as Sunday Ibadan).

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to increase its number of governors to 26, following the imminent defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The move comes as Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas is already considered to be in the APC fold, pending his official reception ceremony.

A source within the APC National Working Committee (NWC) confirmed that Governor Mutfwang’s decision to switch allegiance ahead of the 2027 general elections has been “wrapped up”, and he has already held a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The APC official confirmed that Governor Mutfwang, who was elected on the platform of the factionalized PDP, contacted the APC National Chairman last week to signal his intention to quit the main opposition party.

“The governor, who had always reiterated his commitment to the PDP, has finally decided. He informed the chairman last Tuesday, and the chairman took him to the president on Sunday,” the NWC member revealed to The Nation.

The official noted that the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda (who was Mutfwang’s rival in the last governorship poll), subsequently facilitated a meeting for the Plateau Governor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“Governor Mutfwang has been taken to Aso Villa for a meeting with the president after informing the chairman he wanted to come to the APC. He will be received into the party very soon,” the source added.

This confirmation ends swirling speculations that the defection was being resisted by Prof. Yilwatda, with the party official dismissing such reports as untrue.

The NWC member also stated that Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas is now being treated as an APC member, putting the ruling party’s count at 26 governors.

“We now have 26 governors in APC, with Kefas on board. He only postponed his reception because of sensitivity to the national mood,” the official added, referencing the initial postponement of Kefas’s official defection rally.

Statutory organs and key leadership blocs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have thrown their weight behind the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), signaling a major consolidation effort following the party’s 2025 National Convention in Ibadan.

The show of force and unity is being organized through a series of high-level solidarity meetings scheduled to hold in Abuja over the coming days.

In a statement signed by the National Organizing Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, the party structures mobilized include: PDP State Chairmen; National Assembly Caucuses (Senate and House of Representatives); National Ex-Officio members; Forums of former governors, ministers, and past NWC officials.

The party announced a schedule of strategic engagements aimed at stabilizing the party and charting a new course for the opposition movement.

The key meetings are slated as follows: the NWC will on Wednesday, meet separately with PDP state chairmen, members of the House of Representatives, and National Ex-Officio members. On December 16, former governors, former ministers, and former NWC members are expected to meet the new party leadership, while the Senate Caucus will hold its session with the NWC on December 17.

Shan stated that the meetings are crucial steps in “the consolidating efforts of the newly elected NWC to stabilize and chart a new course for the party flowing from the successful conduct of the just concluded 2025 elective National Convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.”

During the Wednesday engagement, the NWC will also officially present the Certificate of Return to Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, affirming him as the party’s flag-bearer for the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

In a related development, the PDP has appointed a high-powered 24-member Osun State Governorship Appeal Panel to review all appeals arising from the state’s recently concluded primary election ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.

The panel will be chaired by the new National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, with Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja serving as Secretary.

The panel is scheduled to sit on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Bauchi Governors Lodge, Tatari Ali House, Asokoro, Abuja. The party explicitly mandated the panel to be “guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2025 as amended), the Electoral Guidelines for Party Primary  and Electoral Act, 2022.”