The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State may be entering a new phase as an Oyo PDP chieftain and Governor Seyi Makinde’s close political associate, has secretly visited former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Ilesha, Osun State, to formalize his move to the Action Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to reliable sources, the prominent Ibadan politician and former deputy governor of the state, arrived at Aregbesola’s country home around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in what insiders described as a “strategic realignment meeting.”
Though details of the closed-door meeting remain sketchy, sources said discussions centered on an imminent defection to the ADC and the plan to join the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The visit, coming amid mounting internal wrangling within the PDP, has fueled fresh speculation that the party could face a wave of defections in the coming months.
A source familiar with the meeting described it as “cordial but politically loaded,” noting that Aregbesola received the Ibadan based politician warmly and assured him of “a new political home” where his influence would be respected.
The source added that everyone around the meeting were barred from taking photos as the duo intended to keep their discussion private.
While neither Aregbesola nor the Oyo PDP chieftain publicly confirmed the subject of their discussion, whispers within the Oyo political circle suggest that several other PDP figures are also considering defecting to ADC, which is reportedly being repositioned as a rallying platform for aggrieved politicians ahead of 2027.
The source said further that Gbolarumi’s defection, if finalized, would alter the dynamics of Oyo politics, especially in Ibadan, where he maintains some level of political relevance.
The development adds to the growing sense of unease within the PDP, already shaken by leadership tussles, suspensions, and counter-suspensions at the national level.