In a major shakeup in Ekiti State’s political landscape, Senator Biodun Olujimi has officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement, made on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, has sent ripples across the state and the national political space, given Olujimi’s long-standing affiliation and influence within the PDP.
Olujimi, a former Senate Minority Leader, cited the need for “fresh alignment with progressive ideals and a new political direction” as reasons for her defection. She stated that the decision was made after wide consultations with her supporters, political associates, and key stakeholders across the South-West. “It is time to embrace a platform where I can truly serve my people without unnecessary political encumbrances,” she said.
The seasoned lawmaker, who once served as Special Assistant to the President on Media during the Obasanjo administration, has been a central figure in Ekiti politics for over two decades. She was also the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State between 2005 and 2006, and later emerged as Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, where she became one of the most vocal and respected female voices in the National Assembly.
Her move to the APC is seen by many political analysts as a strategic realignment ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, with speculations already swirling about her potential ambition for the number one seat. Some insiders suggest the APC leadership sees her defection as a major boost, especially in consolidating their grip in the southern senatorial zone of the state.
While the PDP has yet to issue an official reaction, party loyalists in the state have expressed disappointment over her exit, describing it as a “great loss to the progressive women’s movement in the party.” However, Olujimi’s camp maintains that her decision is “in the best interest of Ekiti South and the entire state.”
With this move, Senator Biodun Olujimi joins a growing list of high-profile politicians who have recently switched parties as Nigeria’s 2027 general elections begin to take shape. Her entrance into the APC fold is expected to shift political calculations, not just in Ekiti, but across the South-West region.
