By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
A former Ogun West senatorial aspirant on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abioro Athande Damilare, is set to officially defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of his 40th birthday activities scheduled for May 3.
Damilare, who recently resigned his membership of the NNPP amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, is expected to formally announce his new political affiliation at an event expected to attract political stakeholders and supporters from Ogun West Senatorial District.
The Idi-Iroko-born politician hails from Ago-Egun Community in Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State and is the son of the late Pa Abioro Hodonu, a community figure who was politically active during his lifetime.
Early life and education
Born on May 3, 1986, into a family of nine children, Damilare became the last child of the family following the death of his younger sister in 1994. His upbringing was marked by early hardship following the loss of both parents, a situation he said shaped his resilience and determination in life.
“I have chosen to live a life of an orphan,” he once said while recounting his early struggles in Abeokuta, where he relocated in search of better opportunities.
He attended Ipokia Local Government Primary School, Ago-Egun, between 1996 and 2002 before proceeding to Anglican High School, Quarry Road, Ibara, Abeokuta, where he studied from 2002 to 2008.
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During his formative years, he developed interest in information technology, acquiring technical knowledge in computer engineering which later shaped his early career path.
Professional and media career
After completing his secondary education, Damilare worked as an ICT practitioner and later founded Athandenes Computer Technologies (ACT), where he served as Chief Executive Officer between 2009 and 2019. He continues to work as a technical ICT consultant.
He later pursued a career in communication, obtaining a National Diploma (ND) in Mass Communication between 2011 and 2013 and a Higher National Diploma (HND) between 2014 and 2016 from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
Damilare describes himself as a journalist and public relations professional with strong interests in investigative communication, public engagement, and human development advocacy.
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His professional portfolio also includes leadership roles as Chief Executive Officer of Ninu’s Love Concepts Limited, a real estate and property consultancy firm, and Dardolips Information Global Technology, a public relations and digital information services company established in 2021.
Through these organisations, he has been involved in media consultancy, advertising, publishing, ICT services, educational consultancy, and community relations initiatives.
Business and community engagement
Beyond media and ICT, Damilare has been involved in entrepreneurship spanning estate management, property development, documentation services, and investment consultancy.
He has also trained young people in basic computer engineering and ICT skills, a contribution he said was aimed at youth empowerment and community development.
According to him, his experience working with different organisations and government institutions as a public relations consultant has helped him build networks and strengthened his political aspirations.
Political background and aspirations
Damilare said his political interest was influenced by his late father, who was a member of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), and by his exposure to leadership activities in religious and community organisations while growing up.
He previously contested for the Ogun West senatorial seat under the NNPP in the 2023 general elections, campaigning on youth inclusion, grassroots development, and economic empowerment.
His planned defection to the APC, he noted, is part of a broader decision to align with a platform he believes will better position him to pursue his political vision and contribute to national development.
Personal life
Damilare is currently engaged and has expressed hopes of starting a family soon. He maintains that his life journey—from early struggles to entrepreneurship and politics—has prepared him for greater leadership responsibilities.
As he prepares to mark his 40th birthday, political observers say his next political move may further shape the dynamics of Ogun West politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
