The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has expressed outrage following the defection of its remaining six lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The latest defections effectively deplete the PDP’s representation in the Assembly, coming months after Atobatele Lukmon (Abeokuta South I) and Rasheed Kashamu (Ijebu North I) earlier crossed over to the APC.

Those who recently defected include the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (Odogbolu), Bello Damilare (Sagamu I), Lawal Samsideen (Ogun Waterside), Oluseun Samuel (Ijebu North East), Owode Waliu (Ijebu East), and Dickson Kolawole (Remo North).

Confirming the development in a telephone interview on Sunday, Adeleye attributed the decision to the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP.

“It is true that the remaining six lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP in the Ogun State House of Assembly have defected to the APC. It is a tough decision, but we have been left with no choice but to move on with our political careers due to the protracted leadership crisis that has engulfed our party for years,” he said.

He added that their move was also influenced by the leadership of Bola Tinubu and the performance of Dapo Abiodun.

“Having considered the purposeful and focused leadership of President Bola Tinubu towards enhancing the greatness of the country through his visionary and courageous economic reforms and infrastructural drive, as well as the good works of Governor Dapo Abiodun, we have decided to pitch our tent with the APC,” Adeleye stated.

The lawmaker further noted that for nearly three years, the group had supported Governor Abiodun’s administration in improving the welfare of residents, pledging to sustain that commitment within the ruling party.

Reacting, Ogun PDP Secretary, Sunday Solarin, condemned the defections, describing them as a betrayal of the party.

“The lawmakers are citing leadership differences in the party for their defection, yet they cannot resign their seats from the Assembly because they were elected on the platform of the PDP,” he said.

“They want to continue to enjoy the privileges of their positions, yet they are not ready to remain with the party because things are not the way they want. They have shifted their loyalty and betrayed the party that brought them to office.

“It is good for them but those who truly believe in the party will not move an inch away,” Solarin added.