The political landscape of Ogun State has undergone a radical shift as the State House of Assembly officially transitioned into a monolithic legislature. Following a wave of defections that culminated this weekend, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been left with zero representation in the 26-member chamber, giving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) total control.
What began in 2023 as a divided house—comprising 17 APC and 9 PDP members—is now a homogeneous body of 26 APC lawmakers.
The Final Collapse of the Opposition Wall
The transition was finalized following the APC National Convention in Abuja, where the remaining six PDP lawmakers were seen fully integrated into the ruling party’s structures. The final defectors include:
- Lukman Adeleye (Minority Leader, Odogbolu)
- Lawal Samusideen (Ogun Waterside)
- Adesanya Oluseun Samuel (Ijebu North-East)
- Owode Waliu Ifedolapo (Ijebu East)
- Bello Oluwadamilare (Sagamu I)
- Dickson Kolawole Awolaja (Remo North)
The Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, confirmed the move, citing the PDP’s debilitating national crisis—specifically the rift between the factions of Kabiru Turaki and Nyesom Wike—as the primary driver. “Instead of running under the Wike faction, which is more or less with the presidency, why not align with the presidency itself?” Adeleye stated.
A Timeline of the Erosion
The PDP’s legislative presence has been systematically dismantled over the last three years:
- November 2023: The Court of Appeal nullified the election of Babajide Owoduni (Ikenne), awarding the seat to the APC after evidence emerged that Owoduni had endorsed the ruling party following a coerced resignation attempt.
- Early 2025: High-profile lawmakers Rasheed Kashamu (Ijebu North I) and Lukman Atobatele (Abeokuta South I) crossed the carpet to the APC.
- April 2026: The final six members formalized their exit, citing the need for “political safety” ahead of the 2027 cycle.
Reactions: “Betrayal” vs. “Performance”
The development has triggered polarized responses from the political class:
- The PDP: State Secretary Sunday Solarin condemned the move as a “profound betrayal” of the voters. He challenged the defectors to vacate their seats and seek a fresh mandate under the APC banner if they truly believe in their new party. “They want to continue to enjoy the privileges of their positions, yet they are not ready to remain with the party,” Solarin remarked.
- The APC: State Publicity Secretary Nuberu Femi described the defections as a “testament to the sterling performance” of Governor Dapo Abiodun. He argued that political harmony is a vehicle for sustainable growth and that effective legislation does not require an “antagonistic disposition” toward the executive.
- Civil Society: Comrade Olayinka Folarin, National President of the CDHR, labelled the emergence of a one-party house a “sad and poor development” for democracy. He warned that it leaves the public with no alternative voice in governance and urged the lawmakers to remember that their primary allegiance must be to the Constitution, not their new party.
Implications for Governance
Analysts suggest that while the unified house may lead to faster legislative approvals and executive-legislative harmony, it raises significant concerns regarding oversight and accountability. With no opposition members to provide a “check and balance” on the executive, the quality of debate and scrutiny of the state’s budget and policies will now depend entirely on the APC’s internal discipline.
As Ogun State heads toward the 2027 general elections, the total absence of an opposition voice in the Assembly marks a significant milestone in what many observers describe as the “shrinking political space” across Nigeria’s 36 states.
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