In a seismic shift within Oyo State’s political arena, Hon. Wale Ajani, immediate past Director General of the Oyo State Government Liaison Offices in Abuja and Lagos, and former President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Accord Party. He will be joining forces with celebrated broadcaster and activist, Oriyomi Hamzat, under the Òyó N’ pe o Movement, to formally declare for Accord Party tomorrow, January 17, at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.
The much-anticipated event is set to draw over 30,000 supporters from across Oyo State, with more than one million people expected to watch the declaration online. This marks the beginning of a mass mobilization aimed at returning governance to the people and disrupting the entrenched status quo of self-serving leadership.
Hon. Wale Ajani, who previously contested for the Oyo Central Senatorial seat in 2023 but stepped down following directives from Governor Seyi Makinde, emphasized his deep understanding of the plight of young people in the state, drawing on his experience as the former NYCN President.
“As a former President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, I have witnessed firsthand the immense challenges confronting our youths – from soaring unemployment rates to the rising tide of crime and drug abuse.
“In Oyo State alone, youth unemployment hovers around 37%, contributing to escalating insecurity and social vices. Our young people deserve better – opportunities, empowerment, and hope for a brighter future,” Hon. Ajani stated.
Recent data reveals that Oyo State continues to grapple with alarming rates of youth unemployment, fueling a surge in crime and drug abuse. Reports indicate that over 120,000 young people in the state are actively seeking jobs, while cases of substance abuse and related crimes have risen by 25% in the past three years.
Hon. Ajani declared, “Accord Party, in alliance with Oriyomi Hamzat and the Òyó N’ pe o Movement, has come to liberate Oyo indigenes and residents. No more government of the oppressor, for the rich and by the rich.
“We are committed to restoring hope, creating jobs, and ensuring that governance works for everyone, not just a privileged few.”
The declaration at Liberty Stadium on January 17 is widely expected to alter the political landscape of Oyo State, as Accord Party rallies support and presents a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
