A former Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, has justified his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the opposition party as a “burning house” he had to flee to survive politically.
Speaking on a current affairs programme on Eagle FM, Adeleye said the move was not impulsive but a calculated decision taken alongside other PDP lawmakers after extensive consultations and political assessment.
According to him, years of internal crises, factional disputes, and lack of ideological direction weakened the PDP to the point where remaining in the party became untenable.
“I have come to APC to escape the burning house so that I don’t get consumed in the inferno. Political survival is part of democracy. Our aspirations could no longer be achieved under the current structure of the party,” he said.
Adeleye also pointed to the growing influence of former Rivers State governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as a factor that raised concerns among party members about the PDP’s future direction.
The lawmaker traced the party’s decline to lingering crises dating back to 2019, including leadership tussles, litigations, and unresolved internal conflicts. These issues, he noted, persisted even after the 2023 general elections, further eroding confidence in the party.
He explained that court battles, including disputes over the party’s national convention, exposed deep fractures that made it difficult for members to operate effectively or trust the party’s stability.
Adeleye argued that weak ideological structures across Nigerian political parties often force politicians to prioritise survival and relevance over party loyalty.
“Our democracy is still evolving. Ideology is not yet well defined, so politicians naturally align with platforms that offer viability and stability,” he said, adding that joining the ruling APC was considered the most practical option.
Dismissing claims that his defection was financially motivated, Adeleye described such allegations as “cheap propaganda.”
“To God who made me, I did not receive any kobo. This decision is based on political realities, not money,” he stated.
APC Takes Full Control of Ogun Assembly
With the defection of Adeleye and other PDP lawmakers, the Ogun State House of Assembly is now entirely controlled by the APC, effectively eliminating opposition presence in the legislature.
From a previously competitive composition of 17 APC and 9 PDP members in 2023, the Assembly has transformed into a one-party chamber with all 26 lawmakers under the ruling party.
While this development has raised concerns about reduced opposition oversight, Adeleye insisted that democratic checks and balances would remain intact through legislative committees and institutional processes.
“The Assembly is not an appendage of the executive. Oversight functions will continue regardless of party alignment,” he said.
The PDP’s decline in the Assembly was gradual, beginning with legal setbacks such as the nullification of a PDP lawmaker’s election by the Court of Appeal in 2023.
Subsequent defections by lawmakers further weakened the party, creating a domino effect that ultimately led to the collapse of its legislative structure in Ogun State.
The final wave of defections, involving six lawmakers including Adeleye, sealed the transition to a fully APC-controlled Assembly.
Despite switching parties, Adeleye expressed confidence in retaining the support of his constituents, emphasizing that his mandate is rooted in grassroots engagement rather than party affiliation.
He revealed that the decision to defect followed wide consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, and political stakeholders in his constituency.
“This is a people-driven decision. The support we received at our ward declaration shows that our people are with us,” he said, adding that the move would enhance his ability to deliver democratic dividends.
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