By Paul Joseph
Elder Bòsún Àrébùwà, FCA, has formally declared his movement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to deploy his political experience, grassroots network and organisational capacity towards mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Àrébùwà, who serves as Grand Patron of the Renewed Hope Project 2027 in Ondo State and Patron of the South-West Zone, made the declaration on Thursday during the inauguration of the Ondo State chapter of the Renewed Hope Project 2027 in Akure.
Speaking shortly after his formal declaration, Àrébùwà said one of his immediate priorities would be to use his experience and capacity to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“My first line of action is to deploy my experience, my capacity, my competence and my character to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election,” he said.
He said his decision to join the APC was influenced by his assessment of the Tinubu administration, adding that he intended to mobilise support across Ondo State as part of his contribution to the 2027 campaign.
Àrébùwà said his grassroots mobilisation strategy would include youth and women empowerment, community engagement and other initiatives aimed at strengthening his political structures across the state.
He also disclosed that thousands of his supporters were spread across the state’s wards and local government areas.
According to him, his political movement has supporters in communities across the state and would continue visiting the 18 local government areas to mobilise additional support.
“We are still going to every local government. Come with us to every local government and see the massive numbers of people camping with me,” he said.
Reflecting on his political journey, Àrébùwà said he had been associated with the PDP since 1999 and had experienced the party’s political activities over the years, including contesting the Ondo State governorship election under its platform.
He subsequently declared that he was ending his association with the PDP and moving to the APC with supporters.
“I have been in PDP since 1999 from the beginning. I have seen it all. Today, I have made up my mind,” Àrébùwà said.
He reiterated his criticisms of the PDP, alleging that its members had continued to deceive themselves and Nigerians, before announcing his decision to move to the APC.
“Bye-bye to PDP. People deceive people; they deceive themselves. I have no day for this any longer. I must move to the right side,” he said.
Àrébùwà also linked his new political phase to the Bòsún Àrébùwà Ìmólè Political Leadership Movement (BAIPoLM), saying the movement would be mobilised across Ondo State.
The Thursday’s declaration formally followed weeks of preparations for Àrébùwà’s transition to the APC and his expanded responsibilities within the Renewed Hope Project 2027.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, described the event as successful, saying the Renewed Hope Project 2027 was designed to mobilise support and votes for Tinubu across Nigeria.
Oke said Àrébùwà’s entry into the APC would strengthen the political structure in Ondo State, describing him as an experienced politician and businessman with grassroots influence.
“Bòsún is a consummate politician. He is a businessman. He has a lot of value to add to what we are doing,” Oke said.
He urged Àrébùwà to deploy his political contacts and grassroots network towards the project’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
Oke also highlighted what he described as infrastructure and economic developments under the Tinubu administration, while calling for continued support for the President’s policies.
On the coastal road project, he appealed to the Federal Government and the Minister of Works to ensure that the project adequately serves Ondo State and other coastal communities.
The National Patron of the Renewed Hope Project 2027, Mahmoud Ahmed Mubi, also welcomed Àrébùwà into the movement, describing his decision to join the APC as an important development for the organisation.
Mubi said the Renewed Hope Project was working across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
He described Àrébùwà as an experienced political figure whose participation could strengthen the movement’s activities in Ondo State and beyond.
The National Secretary of the Renewed Hope Project 2027, Hon. Bashir Musa Maaji, similarly described Àrébùwà’s defection as a major addition to the APC structure.
According to Musa Maaji, Àrébùwà is known for grassroots mobilisation and could contribute significantly to the organisation’s campaign activities.
“It is a plus to us, the APC. We are very happy to have him in our midst,” Musamaji said.
He urged Àrébùwà’s supporters to remain committed to him and to participate actively in the political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The inauguration also featured the unveiling of the Ondo State executive structure and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Project 2027.
The organisation has been expanding its structures and activities across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, including youth and student-focused initiatives in other states.
With his formal declaration, Àrébùwà has now moved from his long-standing PDP affiliation into the APC, while taking up a prominent role in the Renewed Hope Project 2027’s mobilisation activities in Ondo State and the South-West.
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