Otunba Omolade Oluwateru, a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Uganda, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after decades of membership.
Oluwateru, who served as Deputy Governor under the late Governor Olusegun Agagu from 2003 to 2009, cited the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP as the key reason for his decision to leave the party.
He made the announcement during the celebration of his 79th birthday in Akure, the state capital.
Having been with the PDP since its formation in 1998, Oluwateru expressed deep dissatisfaction with the state of the party, particularly the damage caused by the actions of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which he believes has left the PDP in shambles.
“I have been with the PDP since its inception, but with the current crisis and the state of affairs, I cannot continue. The roof of the house has been blown off, and there is no cover left,” Oluwateru said, explaining his resignation. He confirmed that he had already submitted his resignation letter to the chairman of his ward.
Regarding his next political move, Oluwateru has not yet officially joined another party, but the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Ade Adetimehin, has expressed readiness to welcome him.
Adetimehin described Oluwateru as a “true progressive,” praising his longstanding commitment to politics and his loyalty to the philosophy of his late boss, Governor Agagu.
Oluwateru hinted at the possibility of joining the APC, stating, “It is possible, it may not be—but give me a chance. I have consulted with my people. Talking to them, because if you see the crowd here, this is largely an APC crowd. There are PDP members too, including women leaders. There are also many who are not aligned to any political party. I will consider the party my people are aligned with and make my decision known to the people of the state in two weeks.”
Adetimehin expressed confidence that Oluwateru would soon join the APC, emphasizing his integrity and the value he would add to Ondo State politics.
He also noted that Oluwateru’s move would strengthen the APC and contribute to national progress, especially in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative agenda.
Asiwaju Muyiwa Asagunla, the Director General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), also praised Oluwateru’s integrity and humility, suggesting that his defection would benefit both the APC and the reelection of President Tinubu. Asagunla added that Oluwateru had foreseen the decline of the PDP, which led to his decision to leave.