The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its last two seats in the Ondo State House of Assembly, as its only remaining lawmakers formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening internal crisis within the opposition party.
Naijaonpoint reports that with their defection, all 26 members of the Ondo State Assembly now belong to the ruling APC.
The defectors are the former House Minority Leader, Olajide Oguntodu of Akure South 1 Constituency, and his deputy, Oluwatoyin Daodu of Akoko South West 1 Constituency.
The two lawmakers announced their resignation during plenary, which was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, in Akure.
In their separate letters, both lawmakers explained that they reached the decision after extensive consultations with their families, constituents, and political leaders, who advised them to align with the ruling APC. They also cited the prolonged internal disputes within the PDP as part of their reasons.
After reading their letters, Speaker Oladiji officially welcomed the lawmakers into the ruling party, describing the development as “a milestone in Ondo State’s political history.”
He expressed optimism that their defection would not only consolidate APC’s numerical strength but also contribute to the overall growth and stability of the party in the state.
Naijaonpoint reports that the defections come in the wake of a wave of resignations that has rocked the PDP in Ondo State.
Earlier, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbabo, and Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, also resigned their positions.
Peretei, in his resignation letter, accused the leadership of the party of trading it off during elections, while Igbabo alleged that the PDP had become hostile to the effective performance of his duties.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Dupe Aisida, has appealed for unity among party members, urging them to put aside factional differences.
In his words: “We have been bruised, sometimes by the enemies outside, most times by cracks within – however, like the palm tree in the storm, the PDP has bent, yet it has never broken. We will rise again – stronger, wiser, and more determined. My team and I share a common vision: unity without exception and progress without exclusion.”
Despite Aisida’s optimism, the latest defections mean the PDP has now lost all representation in the Ondo State House of Assembly, further highlighting the deepening cracks in the state chapter of the party ahead of future elections.
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