Ogun PDP Condemns 6 Lawmakers For Defecting To APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has condemned the defection of six of its lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress, describing the move as a betrayal of the party that brought them to office.

The party’s state secretary, Sunday Solarin, on Sunday criticised the lawmakers for abandoning the PDP while retaining their legislative seats, insisting they lacked justification for their actions.

“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,” he added.

The lawmakers who recently defected are Lukman Adeleye, Minority Leader representing Odogbolu State Constituency; Bello Damilare (Sagamu Constituency I); Lawal Samsideen (Ogun Waterside); Oluseun Samuel (Ijebu North East); Owode Waliu (Ijebu East); and Dickson Kolawole (Remo North).

Their defection follows earlier exits by Atobatele Lukmon (Abeokuta South I) and Rasheed Kashamu, representing Ijebu North I Constituency, who had crossed over to the APC last year.

Confirming the latest development, Adeleye said the decision was driven by the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP, which he described as protracted and unresolved.

“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 lawmakers were also influenced by what he termed the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the performance of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“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 further noted that the lawmakers had, for nearly three years, supported the Abiodun administration in improving the welfare of residents and would continue that commitment within the ruling party.