The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its last remaining seats in the Ondo State House of Assembly after its two lawmakers officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During Thursday’s plenary, the Minority Leader, Olajide Oguntodu (Akure South 1 Constituency), and his deputy, Oluwatoyin Daodu (Akoko South West 1 Constituency), announced their resignation from the PDP and declared for the APC. Their move comes barely five weeks after two other PDP legislators left the party.
Speaker Olamide Oladiji read their resignation letters and welcomed them into the APC fold, describing the development as historic. He noted that the defections would further strengthen the APC’s majority in the House and urged the new members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s progress.
In their letters, both lawmakers explained that their decision followed extensive consultations with family members, constituents, and stakeholders, who advised them to join the ruling party. They also pointed to persistent internal crises within the PDP as another factor behind their defection.
The PDP has been grappling with a wave of resignations in recent months, triggered by prolonged internal disputes among its leaders. Initially, the 26-member Assembly consisted of 22 APC and 4 PDP lawmakers. With Thursday’s development, the chamber is now completely dominated by the APC.
The crisis has also spilled beyond the Assembly. In July, thousands of PDP members in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency defected to the APC, following the earlier move of their House of Representatives member, Festus Akingbaso, who switched allegiance to the ruling party.
In a bid to revive the party, the PDP recently inaugurated a new state executive committee led by Victor Aisida as chairman. In his acceptance speech, Aisida assured members that the era of division was over, promising to restore unity and present the PDP as a credible alternative to the ruling APC.
