A significant group of prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Lagos State has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Citing the PDP’s decline and loss of direction, these defectors, including former candidates, executives, and stakeholders, announced their decision on Monday.
The group, led by Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary Hakeem Amode, stated that the PDP has veered from its founding ideals and is now riddled with internal crises and disunity.
They pointed to the party’s poor leadership and lack of cohesion as major contributors to its decline.
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The defectors also referenced concerns previously voiced by former Governor Gabriel Suswam and Governor Umo Eno regarding the PDP’s future and its capacity to field candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Having formally resigned from the PDP, the group has joined the APC, expressing their belief in the leadership of Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, also known as JANDOR.
They are committed to working with the APC to deliver the true dividends of democracy to Lagos State residents, believing this move will enable them to better serve the people and support JANDOR’s leadership.
Amode said, “The PDP, both at the national and state levels, has lost its way. The party has deviated from the founding ideals that once made it the largest and most respected political platform in Africa. Today, its future is riddled with tension and uncertainty.
“To quote former Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State: ‘The PDP is in a coma and may not survive unless urgent measures are taken.
“Similarly, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State recently voiced concerns that the PDP may struggle to even field candidates in the 2027 general elections due to ongoing internal crises and legal disputes, particularly the unresolved issue involving the party’s National Secretary.
“We risk witnessing a repeat of the 2019 Zamfara scenario, where APC candidates were disqualified by the courts due to internal disarray.”
Amode stated that under the leadership of Philip Aivoji, the situation was fractured and disunited, saying poor leadership and a lack of cohesion have cost the party dearly.
“During the 2023 governorship elections, many of us campaigned tirelessly alongside our gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, JANDOR, risking our lives as we were attacked in Surulere, Kosofe, Agege, and Badagry Local Government Areas of the state.
He asserted that the state leadership failed to support its own candidate, with some party leaders even encouraging members to vote for the opposition.
“This destructive cycle of internal sabotage reoccurs every election cycle. Under such conditions, victory is impossible.”
The defectors are:
1. Hakeem Amode
Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary
2. Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem
Former Deputy Governorship Candidate, PDP, Lagos State
3. Chief Ola Apena
Former Deputy Chairman, PDP, Lagos State
4. Prince Rufus Ademola Adeniyi
Former Assistant State Organizing Secretary (Lagos West), PDP, Lagos State.
5. Jerry Afemikhe (Olori Odo) – Former PDP House of Representatives Candidate, Surulere Constituency 1.
6. Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye
Spokesman to the 2023 Lagos PDP Governorship Candidate.
7.Hon. Keshinro Abiodun
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Epe State Constituency 1
8. Akeem Jinadu
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Eti-Osa State Constituency 1
9. Hon. Ibrahim Balogun
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Kosofe State Constituency 2
10. Taofeek Bolaji Obanikoro
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Lagos Island State Constituency 1
11. Tunde Pratt
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Lagos Mainland State Constituency 2
12. Saheed Aregbesola
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 2
13. Sulaimon A. Thompson
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Surulere State Constituency 1
14. Taofeek O. Kuye
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Ajeromi-Ifelodun State Constituency 1
15. Adeyemi Kazeem
Former PDP Chairman, Ojo Local Government.
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