The remaining six lawmakers in the Ogun State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Atobatele Lukmon, representing Abeokuta South I, and Rasheed Kashamu, son of the late Buruji Kashamu and member representing Ijebu North I Constituency, had earlier announced their defection to the ruling party last year.
The six lawmakers who recently defected are Lukman Adeleye, Minority Leader and member representing Odogbolu State Constituency; Bello Damilare (Sagamu Constituency I); Lawal Samsideen (Ogun Waterside); Oluseun Samuel (Ijebu North East); Owode Waliu (Ijebu East); and Dickson Kolawole (Remo North).
The Minority Leader, Adeleye, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, citing the protracted leadership crisis within the opposition party as the reason for their decision.
“It is true that the remaining six lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP in the Ogun State House of Assembly have defected to the APC. It is a tough decision, but we have been left with no choice but to move on with our political careers due to the protracted leadership crisis that has engulfed our party for years,” he said.
Adeleye added that their decision was also influenced by what he described as the purposeful leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the performance of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“Having considered the purposeful and focused leadership of President Bola Tinubu towards enhancing the greatness of the country through his visionary and courageous economic reforms and infrastructural drive, as well as the good works of Governor Dapo Abiodun, we have decided to pitch our tent with the APC,” he stated.
He noted that for nearly three years, the lawmakers had supported the administration of Abiodun in improving the welfare of residents, adding that they would build on that commitment within the ruling party.
Reacting to the development, the Secretary of the PDP in Ogun State, Sunday Solarin, criticised the lawmakers, describing their action as a betrayal.
Solarin said, “The lawmakers are citing leadership differences in the party for their defection, yet they cannot resign their seats from the Assembly because they were elected on the platform of the PDP.
“They want to continue to enjoy the privileges of their positions, yet they are not ready to remain with the party because things are not the way they want. They have shifted their loyalty and betrayed the party that brought them to office.
“It is good for them, but those who truly believe in the party will not move an inch away.”
PUNCH.
