A significant exodus of senior members from the Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been met with indifference by party leadership, who describe the defectors as “long inactive” and not central to the party’s current operations.
Speaking to local press on Tuesday, Lagos PDP Vice Chairman (Central), Mr Hakeem Olalemi, dismissed concerns over the defection of several party figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former State Publicity Secretary Alhaji Hakeem Amode and other ex-leaders such as Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem and Chief Ola Apena.
According to Olalemi, “These individuals ceased contributing to the PDP’s activities years ago. They were no longer part of the decision-making processes, and their exit is neither surprising nor impactful.”
The list of defectors also features Prince Rufus Adeniyi, a former organising secretary; media aide Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye; and multiple 2023 PDP House of Assembly candidates across constituencies like Oshodi-Isolo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Lagos Mainland.
Olalemi asserted that many of those who defected had aligned themselves with other interests even before the 2023 elections. He suggested that the defectors were more affiliated with Jandor, the PDP’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, whose camp he implied has longstanding links with the APC.
“When last did any of them publicly defend the PDP in Lagos? We have long moved past them,” he said.
The internal dynamics of the Lagos PDP have faced scrutiny in recent years, with accusations of disunity and weak mobilisation. The latest developments appear to reinforce those narratives. Nevertheless, the party leadership remains publicly resolute.
“This is no crisis. The PDP in Lagos remains strong and forward-looking,” Olalemi added.
