PDP Now an ‘Empty Shell’ as Top Ogun Politicians Defect to APC — Gov. Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has declared that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has become a political “empty shell” across Nigeria, following a fresh wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abiodun made the remark on Wednesday in Abeokuta during a formal reception for several prominent PDP leaders who recently joined the APC. Among those welcomed were former Deputy Governorship Candidate, Adekunle Akinlade; former PDP State Chairman, Dr. Sikirullahi Ogundele; Deputy Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Lukman Atobatele; former Chief Whip, Idowu Olowofuja; ex-ALGON Chairman, Dr. Mojeed Ekelojumati; and former Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Chairman, Rotimi Rahman.

Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun backed Ogundele’s earlier claim that “every responsible member of the PDP in Ogun” has already defected. He went further to label the remaining PDP members as “Internally Displaced Politicians.”

“PDP nationwide has become an empty shell. As a matter of fact, they are like IDPs — looking for where to settle. They went to SDP, they were not accepted. They tried ADC, still no luck. They remain politically displaced,” Abiodun said.

He credited the defection trend to what he described as the “giant strides” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which, he said, has attracted even opposition governors into the APC fold.

Welcoming the new APC members, Abiodun assured them of full integration, saying they would enjoy all rights and privileges as party members and leaders.

In his remarks, Akinlade—who ran against Abiodun in the 2019 governorship election under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM)—thanked the governor for receiving them with “dignity” and pledged total loyalty to the APC.

“We are here to support you, Your Excellency. We’re here to align fully with you and the party. You have treated us with respect throughout this process, and we are grateful,” Akinlade said.