The remaining six lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ogun State House of Assembly have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Earlier, Atobatele Lukmon (Abeokuta South I) and Rasheed Kashamu, son of the late Buruji Kashamu representing Ijebu North I, had made the switch to the APC last year. The newly defected lawmakers include:
- Lukman Adeleye, Minority Leader
- Bello Damilare
- Lawal Samsideen
- Oluseun Samuel
- Owode Waliu
- Dickson Kolawole
Adeleye confirmed the defection in a phone interview, citing the protracted leadership crisis within the PDP as the primary reason.
“It is true that the remaining six lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP in the Ogun State House of Assembly have defected to the APC. It is a tough decision, but we have been left with no choice but to move on with our political careers due to the protracted leadership crisis that has engulfed our party for years,” he said.
He added that the purposeful leadership of Bola Tinubu and the performance of Dapo Abiodun influenced their decision:
“Having considered the purposeful and focused leadership of President Bola Tinubu towards enhancing the greatness of the country through his visionary and courageous economic reforms and infrastructural drive, as well as the good works of Governor Dapo Abiodun, we have decided to pitch our tent with the APC,” Adeleye stated.
He also noted that the lawmakers have supported Governor Abiodun’s administration over the past three years, particularly in improving residents’ welfare, and plan to continue that commitment within the APC.
Reacting to the defections, Sunday Solarin described the move as a betrayal of the party.
“The lawmakers are citing leadership differences in the party for their defection, yet they cannot resign their seats from the Assembly because they were elected on the platform of the PDP. They want to continue to enjoy the privileges of their positions, yet they are not ready to remain with the party because things are not the way they want. They have shifted their loyalty and betrayed the party that brought them to office. It is good for them, but those who truly believe in the party will not move an inch away,” Solarin said.
