The Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate in Oluyole State Constituency in Oyo State during the 2023 general elections, Mogaji Saheed Oyewale, the party’s chairmanship candidate in the 2024 local government election, Mr David Arowolo and other notable chieftains of the party have dumped the party.

DAILY POST reports that they have joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Other SDP chieftains who joined the APC are the party’s Chairman in Oluyole Local Government Area, Mr Ganiyu Lawal, Secretary, Adetunji Adewale, Women Leader, Mrs Taiwo Lasisi; Youth Leader, Muritala Jeje, and the Public Relations Officer, Afeez Agbongbon.

Others are all the local government and ward executive committee members from the 10 electoral wards in the local government area.

The former SDP chieftains announced their defection when they visited the APC state secretariat on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital.

They were received by the APC Chairman in the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo.

Oyewale, who led the former SDP chieftains, disclosed that their decision to join the APC was informed by their desire to be part of the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s dream for a better Nigeria.

He said, “We decided to join the APC because we appreciate the good work of President Tinubu and, as patriots, we cannot afford to stay away when we can be part of the success story.

“Virtually all the people who matter in the SDP will join the APC in a matter of weeks, and I can assure you that we will all work for our new party to win big in 2027.”

Former Super Eagles’ striker, Daniel Amokachi continues lending support in ongoing efforts to promote increased awareness about the need for proper attention to mental health, HIV, tuberculosis, personal hygiene and sexual activities among young girls, Sports247 reports.

The ex-international is supporting the lofty enlightenment campaign through his social development and human empowerment project in collaboration with Sports Bridge Foundation and Debriche Health Development Center (DHDC).

His latest effort was powered by officials of Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation (DAEF) at the annual Sports Bridge Booth Camp, which focused on promoting physical well-being, emotional resilience, teamwork and healthy lifestyles among young female volleyball players.

Operating under the theme ‘Sports and Mental Health,’ the programme featured sessions on menstrual hygiene, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), HIV prevention, dangers of tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive rights.

Speaking during the programme, a member of DHDC, Dr. Omale Idoko stressed that abstinence remains the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, then advised young girls to seek medical attention if they notice unusual symptoms.

The participants were further educated on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and obtaining information about reproductive health, while facilitators from Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation also engaged the athletes in an interactive sesssion under the theme ‘Real People, Real Talk.’

Amokachi had previously pledged at the outset of the venture that he will fully back the campaign for youth mental health through football following his appointment as a United Nations Football for the Goals Champion, which he referred to as a call to greater service.

While pointing out that it strengthened his resolve to use the power of sport to support young people across the world, Amokachi promised to always join policymakers and youth advocates to explore how sport can advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve mental health globally.

“Our foundation has already been doing a lot of work on youth mental health. Football provides a powerful platform to educate, inspire and support young people, both on and off the pitch.

“Now that I have been appointed a United Nations Football for the Goals Champion, I am looking forward to working closely with the UN to understand its programme and identify areas where we can contribute even more.

“As a champion, I remain committed to protecting the mental health of players and athletes as they build their careers and become responsible members of society,” Amokachi submitted.

Sports247 reports further that the most recent engagement followed the foundation’s participation in the United Nations initiative tagged ‘One World, One Game, One Goal: Football for Youth Mental Health,’ which noted the importance of using sports to promote disease prevention among young people.