Lagos: The Lagos State PDP Spokesman, Alhaji Hakeem Amode, along with several other prominent PDP leaders, has left the opposition party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during a news conference held in Ikeja on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Amode and other defectors cited their inspiration from the leadership of Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, known as Jandor, who had previously moved to the APC. Amode expressed that this decision marked a significant turning point for numerous political stakeholders who have been part of the PDP. He emphasized the need to align with Jandor to strengthen their political pursuits within the APC.
Amode criticized the PDP for deviating from its founding ideals and described the party as being in a state of disarray. He noted that the party’s future was uncertain and highlighted the need for immediate changes to ensure its survival. The defection signifies a major shift in Lagos State’s political landscape, as the defectors aim to better serve their constituencies through the APC.
The former PDP spokesman detailed the extensive and meaningful journey many defectors had within the PDP, acknowledging both the achievements and challenges faced. He asserted that the decision to switch allegiance was made after careful consideration and consultations, driven by a collective desire to take charge of their political futures.
Amode also pointed to the fractured and disunited state of the PDP under its current leadership in Lagos, blaming poor management and lack of cohesion for their losses. The defectors have formally resigned from the PDP at all levels, including national, local government, and ward leaderships, to join the APC.
Echoing Amode’s sentiments, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem and Chief Ola Apena, both former PDP leaders, voiced their commitment to contributing to the state’s progress under the APC. Ibrahim Balogun, a former PDP State House of Assembly Candidate, expressed regret over his long tenure with the PDP and pledged support for the APC and Jandor’s leadership.
Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran welcomed the defectors, asserting that the PDP had long been a party without a winning strategy. He described the PDP as a social club with no electoral ambition, urging others to join the APC, which he deemed the only viable political platform in Nigeria.
Among the defectors are several notable figures, including former PDP Assistant State Organising Secretary Prince Rufus Adeniyi, former House of Representatives Candidate Jerry Afemikhe, and various former State House of Assembly candidates. This move signifies a substantial reorganization of political alliances in Lagos State.
