A former Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Lukman Adeleye, has defended his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, saying the lingering crisis within the PDP made it impossible for him and others to pursue their political ambitions.
Adeleye, who represents Odogbolu State Constituency, said the decision to dump the opposition party was a collective one taken after wide consultations and careful assessment of the political situation.
Speaking during an interview on a current affairs programme, he described the PDP as a platform plagued by instability, adding that remaining in the party would have amounted to political stagnation.
“Our political aspirations can’t survive in PDP under the current situation. We had to take a decision that would guarantee our relevance and allow us to continue serving our people effectively,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that the crisis within the PDP, which he said had persisted since 2019, had weakened the party’s internal structure and eroded confidence among its members.
“We went through litigations, Supreme Court battles, and even after the 2023 elections, the crisis did not abate. At a point, it became clear that the party was no longer stable,” he stated.
Adeleye also pointed to the influence of key figures within the party, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as part of the factors shaping the current direction of the PDP.
“At the end of the day, we realised that our aspirations could not be achieved under such a regime,” he added.
He dismissed claims that financial inducement influenced the defection, describing such allegations as unfounded.
“To God who made me, I did not receive any kobo. This is not about money. It is about political reality and the need to remain relevant,” Adeleye said.
With the latest development, all 26 members of the Ogun State House of Assembly are now in the APC, effectively leaving the chamber without opposition lawmakers.
Despite concerns over the implications of a one-party legislature, Adeleye insisted that the Assembly would continue to perform its oversight functions.
“The House of Assembly is not an appendage of the executive. Our duty is to ensure checks and balances, regardless of party affiliation,” he said.
He further maintained that his mandate comes from the people, not political parties, expressing confidence that his constituents would continue to support him despite the change in platform.
