A former Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, has declared that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by the need to escape what he described as a “burning house,” insisting that remaining in the opposition party would have amounted to political suicide.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State on Monday, Adeleye said his decision, alongside other former PDP lawmakers, was the result of prolonged internal crises, factional disputes, and what he described as the collapse of ideological direction within the party.
“I have come to APC to escape the burning house so that I don’t get consumed in the inferno. I have come to APC to have a platform to continue to dish out democratic values to my people. If you are in a house that is burning and you struggle for survival by escaping, I do not think that is a sin. Political survival is part of the tenets of democracy. At the end of the day, we found out that the party has ended up in the hands of the former governor of Rivers State, who is now the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The question that agitated the minds of many of us is that our political aspirations cannot be achieved under such a regime,” he said.
The lawmaker, who represents Odogbolu State Constituency, maintained that the decision to defect was not taken unilaterally but was a collective resolution by members of the minority caucus in the Assembly after extensive consultations and political evaluation.
He stressed that the move was carefully thought out and driven by the realities within the PDP, noting that members had reached a consensus after assessing the party’s declining strength.
He added that their decision was not impulsive but followed a detailed review of political developments within and outside the state.
According to him, the objective was to secure a viable platform that would guarantee continued political relevance and effective representation for their constituents.
PROLONGED CRISIS WITHIN PDP
Adeleye noted that the crisis within the PDP had persisted for years, gradually eroding the party’s cohesion and electoral strength. He recalled that internal wranglings, litigations, and leadership disputes had made it increasingly difficult for members to operate effectively.
These issues, he said, created divisions among stakeholders and weakened the party’s internal structure. Over time, the inability to resolve these conflicts contributed significantly to the decision of many members to leave the party.
“Since 2019, we have been battling one crisis or the other. We thought it was just an internal wrangling that would soon be resolved, but unfortunately, it kept getting worse. We went through litigations, Supreme Court battles, and even after the 2023 elections, the crisis persisted. We got to a point where even the national convention was nullified by the court. We went to the Court of Appeal, and we also lost. At that stage, it became clear that the party was no longer stable,” he said.
The former Minority Leader also referenced the political stance of key figures within the PDP, arguing that conflicting loyalties had created confusion about the party’s direction.
He said such developments made it difficult for members to remain committed to the platform and undermined confidence in its leadership.
According to him, the uncertainty surrounding the party’s future made it increasingly unattractive as a political platform. He added that the lack of clarity about the party’s electoral prospects further contributed to the wave of defections.
“We all know the position of Governor Nyesom Wike. It is somebody that has openly confessed that the PDP will not be presenting presidential candidates. The implication is that the party will not be participating fully in elections. If you are in a house that is burning and you struggle for survival by escaping, I do not think that is a sin. Political survival is part of the tenets of democracy. Our political aspirations cannot be achieved under such a regime,” he said.
IDEOLOGY AND POLITICAL REALITY
Adeleye acknowledged that ideology remains weak in Nigerian politics, describing most parties as platforms for political survival rather than structured ideological institutions. He argued that this reality influences decisions such as defection and shapes political behavior across the country.
According to him, the evolving nature of Nigeria’s democracy means that political actors often prioritize survival and relevance over ideological alignment. He noted that this trend is not unique to Ogun State but reflects a broader national pattern.
“As we speak, ideology in most of these political parties is not well defined. Our democracy is still evolving, and we have not attained that level where ideology is extremely pronounced. We looked at other political parties and realized that they too have been polarized. We asked ourselves what the best alternative was, and we concluded that aligning with the ruling party was the most viable option,” he explained.
DENIAL OF FINANCIAL INDUCEMENT
Addressing allegations that the defection was motivated by financial gain, Adeleye firmly denied receiving any inducement. He described such claims as baseless and politically motivated, insisting that the decision was rooted in careful consideration rather than personal benefit.
According to him, the narrative of financial inducement is often used to discredit legitimate political decisions.
He maintained that integrity and accountability guided their actions throughout the process.
“To God who made me, I did not receive any kobo. Myself and the other members did not take a dime. This is not material-driven. It has nothing to do with money. This is a very lazy and cheap propaganda. Our decision is driven by political realities and the need to remain relevant,” he said.
FULL APC CONTROL AND DEMOCRATIC CONCERNS
With the latest defections, the Ogun State House of Assembly is now fully controlled by the APC, marking a complete collapse of opposition presence. Adeleye confirmed that all 26 members of the House now belong to the ruling party, creating a homogeneous legislative structure.
This development has raised concerns about the potential impact on democratic accountability and effective opposition.
However, it also reflects the current political realities within the state.
“The House of Assembly is not an appendage of the executive. Our responsibility is to carry out oversight and ensure checks and balances, regardless of party affiliation. We have committees on finance, works, and other sectors to ensure that the executive does not go beyond its boundaries. This does not translate to a one-party state because other political parties still exist. Our democracy is still evolving, and reforms are needed to strengthen internal party structures,” he said.
FROM MULTI-PARTY TO ONE-PARTY ASSEMBLY
The political map of the Ogun State House of Assembly has been significantly altered, transitioning into a one-party legislature dominated entirely by the APC. What began in 2023 as a competitive chamber with 17 APC and 9 PDP members has now become a fully APC-controlled House, leaving the opposition with no representation. This development reflects a steady decline in the PDP’s legislative presence over time, culminating in the eventual collapse of its structure within the Assembly. It also underscores a broader shift in political alignment within the state, raising concerns about the balance of power and the future of opposition politics.
This shift followed the defection of the remaining six PDP lawmakers to the ruling party, effectively collapsing the opposition structure within the Assembly. The development marks a major turning point in the state’s legislative politics and highlights the growing dominance of the APC in Ogun State. Observers note that the absence of opposition lawmakers may impact legislative debates and reduce critical scrutiny of government policies. However, supporters of the move argue that it could enhance policy coordination and governance efficiency within the state.
THE FIRST CRACK IN PDP’S STRUCTURE
The erosion of the PDP’s presence in the Assembly began in November 2023 with a legal battle over the Ikenne State Constituency. The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos nullified the election of Babajide Owoduni of the PDP, significantly weakening the party’s numerical strength. This development created uncertainty within the party and exposed internal inconsistencies in its candidate selection process. It also marked the beginning of a series of events that would gradually diminish the PDP’s foothold in the Assembly.
Before the election, Owoduni had resigned from the PDP and formally withdrew from the race, a move that created confusion within the party. Despite attempts by the PDP to replace him, INEC rejected the substitution and maintained him as the recognized candidate, later issuing him a certificate of return. Owoduni, however, told the tribunal that he was abducted and coerced into signing the withdrawal documents. In contrast, opposing counsel presented evidence showing he had openly endorsed the APC, further complicating the case and influencing the court’s decision.
GRADUAL DEFECTIONS AND COLLAPSE OF OPPOSITION
The PDP’s decline continued as two lawmakers, Rasheed Kashamu and Lukman Atobatele, defected to the APC, further shrinking the opposition’s presence. This development reduced the PDP’s ability to function as a cohesive legislative bloc and weakened its influence within the Assembly. Over time, the remaining members faced increasing pressure and uncertainty regarding their political future. The repeated defections created a domino effect that ultimately led to the total collapse of opposition representation.
The final shift occurred after the APC National Convention in Abuja, where two PDP lawmakers publicly aligned with the ruling party, signaling the end of opposition strength in the Assembly. The latest defectors include Lukman Adeleye, Lawal Samusideen, Adesanya Oluseun Samuel, Owode Waliu Ifedolapo, Bello Oluwadamilare, and Dickson Kolawole Awolaja. Their defection effectively handed full legislative control to the APC. The development has since sparked debates about the implications for democratic governance and political plurality in the state.
MY MANDATE COMES FROM THE PEOPLE, NOT PARTY — ADELEYE DEFENDS DEFLECTION DECISION
Adeleye reaffirmed his confidence in retaining the mandate of his constituents despite his defection, insisting that his political relevance is rooted more in grassroots connection than party affiliation.
He explained that his long-standing relationship with the people of his constituency, built over more than two decades, has earned him trust beyond party lines. According to him, his electoral victory was largely driven by broad-based support, including voters who were not members of his former party. He maintained that governance and service delivery, rather than party loyalty, remain the true basis of his legitimacy.
“Very, very well. Beyond political party, I have been in this local government for over two and a half decades. I have lived with my people; I have contributed my quota. So for me, it is not really about political parties, it is about a people-driven movement. If you look at the last election, we got overwhelming votes from even people who are not PDP members, and that has driven our contributions and our projects.”
He further stated that the decision to defect was not taken in isolation but followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the constituency, including traditional rulers, community leaders, and political associates. Adeleye emphasized that the move was endorsed at the grassroots level, describing it as a collective decision aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and development.
He added that the reception at his ward declaration demonstrated strong public backing, noting that the defection has also attracted new supporters into the APC fold. He concluded that the move positions him to deliver more effectively on his democratic mandate.
“Before we took this decision, very early on, we consulted widely the leaders of my former political parties. We consulted with the traditional rulers, the Baales, the Oloris, and our support groups, and they encouraged us to go ahead so that what we have started will enjoy continuity. This is a people-driven decision, a masses-driven decision. The crowd at our ward declaration was massive, and since then, we have been able to bring on board people who were not members of the APC, and we are ready to add value and deliver on our democratic agenda.” He assured.
