Chief Olusegun (Segun) Oni, former governor of Ekiti State and a prominent figure in the Southwest’s political landscape, on Monday officially defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) back into the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party at both the federal level and in Ekiti State. The move has added fresh momentum to the APC’s political posture as the state prepares for the crucial 2026 governorship election.
Oni’s cross-carpeting marks a significant realignment of political forces less than six months ahead of key party primaries across Nigeria. It also rewrites the narrative around his own political future, after his unsuccessful bid under the SDP banner in the 2022 governorship election when he came second to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Chief Segun Oni served as governor of Ekiti State from 2007 to 2010, a period marked by intense legal battles that eventually saw his removal from office by the Court of Appeal.
Over the years, Oni has been a fixture in major political shifts. He spent significant time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including a term as the party’s candidate in the 2022 governorship contest, before joining the SDP, which emerged in Ekiti as the main opposition force during that election cycle.
His decision to return to the APC, the party of the incumbent governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, strengthens the ruling party’s prospects and underscores its appeal to political heavyweights across the spectrum.
Addressing journalists and party stakeholders at the APC state secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, Oni said his defection was driven by a renewed commitment to unity and impactful governance, highlighting the importance of aligning with a party capable of delivering broad-based development. He emphasised that his return to the APC was not a retreat from political contestation but rather a strategic realignment given the ruling party’s platform and reach.
Senior APC leaders, including party executives and ex-governors aligned with the party, welcomed Oni’s decision. They framed it as a consolidation of support ahead of the 2026 election, which promises to be fiercely contested.
Political analysts say the ex-governor’s defection strengthens the APC’s narrative of unity and momentum heading into next year’s polls, particularly at a time when the party is courting defectors from various opposition parties. The defection also reflects broader dynamics in Nigerian politics, where party loyalty often shifts in pursuit of electoral viability and power consolidation.
Observers note that Oni’s extensive political network, especially in Ekiti North and across the state’s political wards, could be a strategic asset for the APC, which has faced challenges from rival parties, including the SDP, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in recent years.
With the 2026 governorship election approaching, Oni’s move is expected to bolster the APC’s structural depth and widen its appeal beyond its traditional support base. It could also influence how opposition parties recalibrate their strategies. Analysts suggest that this type of high-profile defection could dampen momentum for smaller parties in the state and draw undecided voters toward the ruling party’s platform.
For the SDP and other opposition parties, Oni’s departure may trigger internal regrouping as they prepare to field candidates and build grassroots momentum in an increasingly crowded political field.
