Ayinla Egba dumps Action Democratic Party, joins All Progressives Congress
A chieftain of Action Democratic Party (ADP), and former chairmanship candidate in Abeokuta South local Government, Ogun State, Chief Olalekan Shoyinka has dumped the party and officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Penpushing reports that Shoyinka popularly called Ayinla Egba was received by leaders of the ruling party in Abeokuta South local government, which include Director General National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade.
The new entrant into the party while speaking at the ceremony said he took the decision after months of reflection, consultations, and strategic assessment with his political associates, and resolved to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Penpushing further reports that the broadcast journalist turned politician added that this was not a hurried move, not emotional and not transactional, emphasizing that politics is not about convenience, but it is about responsibility.
‘It was a conscious decision shaped by one overriding concern: how to best serve the people of Abeokuta and Ogun State. We sought a political platform with functioning structures in every ward and the capacity to turn ideas into development’, he added.
‘Governance requires organisation, reach, and internal discipline — qualities any serious political movement must possess. Since announcing our decision many concerned citizens have reached out to me’, Shoyinka stated.
‘Some expressed disappointment. Others questioned our motives, citing allegations of bad governance of the APC and wondering whether we had abandoned our principles.Let me be unequivocal. Political parties are not defined by their names but by the people who occupy them’.
‘Across Nigeria’s political landscape, every platform contains reformers and self-seekers, patriots and pretenders. What matters is where responsible people choose to stand and how they work to tilt the balance toward progress’, he declared.
‘Our political journey has shown us that there are men and women of integrity within the APC in Ogun State — leaders with a genuine commitment to development and public service. It is with such individuals that we have chosen to work’.
‘Reforming a system from the outside often leaves one voiceless. True change requires presence at the decision-making table. It requires influence, negotiation and persistence. We have chosen engagement over isolation and action over endless criticism’.
‘For more than six months after leaving our former party, we observed events across the political spectrum. We studied opposition platforms in Ogun State and nationally. We watched internal crises, leadership disputes, and organisational weaknesses unfold’, he added.
‘With elections approaching, we cannot gamble with our future and the future of our constituents. Politics, to us, is not theatre — it is preparation for governance’, Shoyinka emphasised.
‘We concluded that progress demands a platform capable of stability, cohesion, and delivery. Having identified leaders within the APC who share our development-driven ideology, we stepped forward deliberately and transparently’.
‘To the supporters of Ayinla Egba and the United Premier Movement, this decision was made with your trust in mind. We have not compromised. We will not compromise. Our loyalty remains first to the people’.
‘Our values remain intact. We appreciate the leadership of the APC in Ogun State and Abeokuta South in particular, for their assurances, guidance and support, and we pledge unwavering commitment to party growth, democratic ideals and the delivery of tangible dividends to our communities.
‘This move is not an ending. It is the start of a new phase — one defined by responsibility, reform, and results. History will not ask where we stood. It will ask what we did when opportunity came’.
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