Barely 48 hours after resigning from the Accord Party and briefly reversing his decision, the lawmaker representing Iwo Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adesina Atanda Rabiu, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Rabiu had initially announced his resignation from the Accord Party and distanced himself from Governor Ademola Adeleke, but reconsidered his move shortly after a visit by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, and Olawale Rasheed on Monday.

However, on Wednesday, the lawmaker met with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, alongside Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi and House of Representatives member, Hon. Wole Oke, sealing his move to the APC.

Photographs from the meeting showed Oyetola flanked by Rabiu, Senator Fadeyi and Hon. Oke.

Confirming the development, Hon. Oke told The Nation that Rabiu had joined the APC, adding that more defections were imminent.

“Rabiu has joined our party, APC. Eighteen more lawmakers will be joining us very soon. The Accord Party is empty, I can tell you that for sure,” he said.

Senator Fadeyi also expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, stating that the APC would reclaim the Osun governorship seat in 2026 and secure a decisive victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Reacting to the defection, the Accord Party Chairman in Iwo, Chief Alidu Adeoye, described Rabiu as a liability and an embarrassment rather than an asset to the party.

“The lawmaker had constituted serious nuisance and disappointments to his constituents from 2022 to date, the party had refrained from acting against the lawmaker.

“When he was invited to the Government House a few days ago, we knew he wouldn’t stay any longer because his request for a second term ticket is a direct violation of the zoning formula operating within the Iwo state constituency.

“Aside from his abysmal performance which has made the party a laughing stock among Iwo people, Accord cannot violate the zoning formula which confirmed that Isale Oba is the next region to produce a state lawmaker.

“We apologise to the state leadership of the party and our dear governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke for fielding and sustaining such a failed politician in the first place. We assure that Iwo Accord will never support such mediocrity again and we will deepen the hold of Accord among Iwo people.” (The Nation)