The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its remaining two seats in the Ondo State House of Assembly, as its last lawmakers formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing prolonged internal crises within the opposition party.
Gossip News Now reports that with their defection, all 26 members of the Ondo State Assembly are now members of the ruling APC.
The defectors are the former Minority Leader, Olajide Oguntodu (Akure South 1 Constituency), and his deputy, Oluwatoyin Daodu (Akoko South West 1 Constituency).
The duo announced their resignation from the PDP during plenary on Thursday, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, at the Assembly Complex in Akure.
In separate letters addressed to the Speaker, both lawmakers explained that their decision followed extensive consultations with their families, constituents, and political stakeholders, who encouraged them to align with the ruling party. They attributed their defection to the deepening leadership crisis within the PDP.
After reading their letters, Speaker Oladiji officially welcomed the lawmakers into the APC, describing their move as “a significant moment in Ondo State’s political landscape.”
He expressed optimism that the development would further strengthen the APC’s dominance and contribute to political stability and development in the state.
The latest defections come amid a series of resignations that have recently rocked the PDP in Ondo State.
Earlier, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbabo, and Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, both stepped down from their positions.
In his resignation letter, Peretei accused the party’s leadership of “trading off” the PDP during elections, while Igbabo alleged that internal hostilities had made it impossible for him to perform his duties effectively.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed state PDP Chairman, Hon. Dupe Aisida, has appealed for reconciliation and unity within the party, urging members to set aside divisions and rebuild trust.
“We have been bruised — sometimes by enemies outside, often by cracks within. Yet, like the palm tree in a storm, the PDP has bent but not broken. We will rise again — stronger, wiser, and more determined,” Aisida stated.
Despite his call for unity, the defections leave the PDP without any representation in the Ondo State House of Assembly — underscoring the deepening internal fractures within the party as it looks ahead to future elections.
