The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State suffered another setback on Wednesday as two of its members in the House of Representatives defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, Taofik Ajilesoro, representing Ife Central/East/North/South Federal Constituency, and Omirin Olusanya, representing Atakunmosa East/Atakunmosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Federal Constituency, announced their resignation from the PDP in separate letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary.
Their defection coincided with that of Marcus Onobun, representing Esan Central/West/Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo State, bringing the number of PDP lawmakers who dumped the party on Wednesday to three.
Ajilesoro said his decision followed careful consideration and extensive consultations with political associates and constituents, adding that the entrenched and irreconcilable divisions in the PDP had made it impossible to continue.
“My constituents and I believe aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s economic recovery agenda will better serve our interests and help attract development to our communities,” he said.
Olusanya, in his letter, lamented that the PDP’s prolonged leadership crisis had shut the door on viable political engagement, leaving him with no choice but to join a platform that can guarantee stability and progress.
“This decision is premised on the protracted crisis within the party at the national level, which has become irreconcilable, and clear that my political future is no longer served with the party,” he said.
Onobun, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, also linked his defection to the PDP’s collapse as a national platform, saying his move would allow him to better deliver dividends of democracy to his constituents.
The lawmaker said he was inspired by the purposeful leadership and development strata of President Bola Tinubu, noting that he was proud of the effective stewardship of the speaker of the House of Representatives and governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo.
He said, “I’m convinced that aligning with the APC at this time is in the best interest of my people. This move will enhance my capacity to deliver tangible dividends of democracy and attract sustainable development to the people while working closely with the governor of the state.
“I respectfully urge this House to recognize and support this transition, not merely as a personal decision, but as a bold step towards securing greater opportunities, effective representation, and lasting progress for my constituents.”
The defections in the House of Representatives come just days after two senators from Osun State, Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central) and Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), resigned from the PDP.
Though neither senator has publicly announced a new party affiliation, both cited irreconcilable differences and lingering internal crises within the PDP as their reason for quitting.
Fadeyi communicated his resignation in a letter dated July 12, addressed to the PDP Ward 3 Chairman in Oke Ejigbo, Ila Orangun, Osun State.
Fadahunsi, similarly, conveyed his exit in a letter of the same date to the PDP Ward 4 Chairman in Obokun Local Government Area
