Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an “empty shell and a sinking ship” following the mass defection of key party figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The governor made the remarks on Wednesday while formally welcoming prominent PDP leaders and thousands of their supporters into the APC fold.
Among the defectors were Adekunle Akinlade, former deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 elections; Sikirulai Ogundele, the party’s former state chairman; Luqmon Atobatele, a current member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Abeokuta South Constituency I; former lawmaker Idowu Olowofuja; Rotimi Rahaman, ex-chairman of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission; and Mojeed Ekelojumati, among others.
Governor Abiodun praised the returnees for what he called a wise decision, assuring them of equal treatment and full integration into the ruling party.
“PDP nationwide has become an empty shell. As a matter of fact, they have been referred to as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). They are looking for IDP camps. They went to SDP, they were not accommodated, ditto to the ADC. They are still displaced,” he said.
He further emphasized the APC’s readiness to grant the defectors all rights and privileges due to party members.
“I want to assure you that we will accord you the rights, privileges, and respect that you deserve. Today, our brothers have come back home, and we are happy and rejoicing in it,” Abiodun added.
Akinlade, speaking on behalf of the defectors, said the move to the APC was a calculated and united step, not a mere defection.
“Today, we are not decamping; this is a movement. We have moved en masse back home; we have left nobody behind because we believe in the leadership of our governor and the leadership of our party, both at the state and national levels,” he stated.
Former PDP chairman Ogundele noted that the decision was driven by the performance of both Governor Abiodun in Ogun State and President Bola Tinubu at the national level.
“What we are doing here today is a testimony; it is also history. I want to re-echo it: the most responsible PDP members of Ogun State from the 236 wards have moved en masse,” he declared.
