APC Gains Strength in Lagos as PDP Leaders Defect En Masse
A speech delivered by Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Hon. Hakeem Amode on behalf of Leading Members of Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Defecting to the All Progressive Congress (APC)
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.
In Lagos, under the leadership of Hon. Philip Aivoji, the situation is no better. The party is fractured and disunited. Poor leadership and a lack of cohesion have cost us dearly.
During the 2023 governorship elections, many of us campaigned tirelessly alongside our Governorship 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.
Regrettably, the state leadership failed to rally behind its own candidate. Shockingly, some party leaders even encouraged members to vote for the opposition. This destructive cycle of internal sabotage reoccurs every election cycle. Under such conditions, victory is impossible.
Leading figures within the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have officially abandoned the party, pledging their allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a speech delivered by Hon. Hakeem Amode, the Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary, the defectors cited internal crises, poor leadership, and a failure to support party candidates as key reasons for their decision.The defectors, led by Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR), include prominent figures such as:
– Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem (Former Deputy Governorship Candidate, PDP Lagos State)
– Chief Ola Apena (Former Deputy Chairman, PDP Lagos State)
– Prince Rufus Ademola Adeniyi (Former Assistant State Organizing Secretary, PDP Lagos West)
– Hon. Jerry Afemikhe (Former PDP House of Representatives Candidate, Surulere Constituency 1)
– Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye (Spokesman to the 2023 Lagos PDP Governorship Candidate)
– Hon. Keshinro Abiodun (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Epe State Constituency 1)
– Hon. Akeem Jinadu (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Eti-Osa State Constituency 1)
– Hon. Ibrahim Balogun (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Kosofe State Constituency 2)
– Hon. Taofeek Bolaji Obanikoro (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Lagos Island State Constituency 1)
– Hon. Tunde Pratt (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Lagos Mainland State Constituency 2)
– Hon. Saheed Aregbesola (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 2)
– Hon. Sulaimon A. Thompson (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Surulere State Constituency 1)
– Hon. Taofeek O. Kuye (2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate, Ajeromi-Ifelodun State Constituency 1)
– Hon. Adeyemi Kazeem (Former PDP Chairman, Ojo Local Government)
As they embrace their new political home under the leadership of JANDOR, the defectors have vowed to work alongside their APC counterparts to strengthen governance and provide better opportunities for Lagosians. Their departure marks a major setback for PDP in Lagos, raising questions about the party’s ability to regain traction before the next election cycle.
