Several prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State formally announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, dealing a significant blow to the opposition party's structure in the state.
The mass defection, led by the PDP Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Hakeem Amode, included high-ranking party executives, former candidates, and other key stakeholders who cited the PDP's persistent leadership crisis and internal disunity as their primary reasons for switching allegiance.
Amode expressed deep frustration over what he described as the party's growing irrelevance and inability to resolve longstanding internal conflicts. According to him, the PDP had strayed from its founding values, becoming a platform marked by instability, factionalism, and lost political direction.
Complete List of Defectors
The defection includes several notable figures who previously held significant positions within the PDP structure in Lagos State:
- Hakeem Amode - Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary
- 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 (Lagos West), PDP, Lagos State
- Jerry Afemikhe (Olori Odo) - 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 for Epe State Constituency 1
- Akeem Jinadu - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Eti-Osa State Constituency 1
- Hon. Ibrahim Balogun - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Kosofe State Constituency 2
- Taofeek Bolaji Obanikoro - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Lagos Island State Constituency 1
- Tunde Pratt - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Lagos Mainland State Constituency 2
- Saheed Aregbesola - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 2
- Sulaimon A. Thompson - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Surulere State Constituency 1
- Taofeek O. Kuye - 2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Ajeromi-Ifelodun State Constituency 1
- Adeyemi Kazeem - Former PDP Chairman, Ojo Local Government
Implications for Lagos Politics
This mass defection represents a significant shift in Lagos State's political landscape, potentially weakening the PDP's already struggling opposition position in the APC-dominated state. The departure of these key figures, many of whom were candidates in the 2023 elections, suggests deep-rooted issues within the PDP's Lagos chapter.
Political analysts note that this development could further consolidate the APC's grip on Lagos politics, as the ruling party continues to absorb influential opposition figures ahead of future electoral contests.
Neither the PDP national leadership nor the remaining Lagos State chapter executives have issued an official response to these defections at the time of reporting.
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