A former Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, has denied allegations that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress was financially induced, insisting that he did not receive any money before leaving the opposition party.
Adeleye spoke on Monday during a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, where he described claims that lawmakers were paid to dump the PDP as false and politically motivated.
He said his decision to join the ruling party was based on political realities and the need to remain relevant, stressing that it was a collective decision involving other lawmakers after wide consultations.
“To God who made me, I, Hon. Lukman Adeleye Olalekan, did not receive any kobo. Myself and the other members did not take a dime. This is not material-driven. It has nothing to do with money. It is cheap propaganda,” he said.
The lawmaker, who represents Odogbolu State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, also dismissed suggestions that his move to the APC was tied to any promise of automatic ticket or political favour.
According to him, he and other defectors are ready to subject themselves to the internal democratic processes of the party, including primaries and consensus arrangements.
He explained that the assurance he referred to was not about electoral guarantee but confidence in the party’s structures and recognition of their political relevance.
“We are ready to subject ourselves to the tenets and values of the party. Nobody has assured us of a ticket. We will go through the process,” he added.
Adeleye blamed the prolonged crisis within the PDP on his decision, citing internal divisions, litigations and leadership struggles that, according to him, weakened the party’s stability.
He also referenced comments attributed to Nyesom Wike, arguing that such developments further raised doubts about the party’s future electoral strength.
The lawmaker said remaining in a “troubled political environment” would have hindered effective representation of his constituents.
Adeleye further stated that his defection followed extensive consultations with stakeholders in his constituency, including traditional rulers and community leaders, adding that the decision enjoyed grassroots support.
He maintained that his political strength was built on long-standing community engagement rather than party affiliation, noting that voters across party lines had consistently supported him.
Following his defection alongside five other lawmakers, the Ogun Assembly is now fully controlled by the APC, a development that effectively eliminates opposition presence in the legislature.
However, Adeleye dismissed concerns that the development signals the collapse of multi-party democracy in the state, arguing that opposition parties still maintain structures outside the Assembly.
He said Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress and insisted that political competition is still alive at other levels.
