Mixed reactions as Ogun Assembly joins bandwagon, turns one party

The political map of the Ogun State House of Assembly has been redrawn following its transition to a one-party legislature.

What began in 2023 as a competitive chamber divided between 17 All Progressive Congress and 9 Peoples Democratic Party members is now an entire APC house, leaving the opposition party with zero representation in the state’s legislative chambers.

This happened following the defection of the final six members of the PDP to the ruling APC.

The crumbling of the opposition wall

The first crack appeared in November 2023 following a legal battle over the Ikenne State Constituency

DAILY POST reports that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos nullified the election of Babajide Owoduni (PDP), who represented the constituency.

Recall that 12 days before the election, Owoduni resigned from the PDP and withdrew from the contest in letters delivered to the PDP and INEC.

He also swore an affidavit of his withdrawal from the race at the Ogun State High Court and in an effort to replace him, PDP wrote to INEC but they rejected the replacement, kept Owodunni as the recognized candidate, and subsequently issued him a certificate of return.

Owodunni told the tribunal that he was abducted and coerced into signing the affidavit and withdrawal letters.

However, Counsel for Olakunle Sobukanla and the APC presented evidence contrary to his claim, showing that Owodunni was openly endorsing the APC following his withdrawal from the contest.

The appellate court in the appeal with suit number CA/1B/EP/SHA/OG/23/2023 Hon Olakunle Sobukanla & Anor v. INEC & 2 Ors directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue Sobukola Certificate of Return as the duly elected member representing Ikenne State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, thereby reducing the PDP count to eight.

The Slow Erosion

The erosion continued last year when two lawmakers from the opposition party, Rasheed Kashamu representing Ijebu North I and Lukman Atobatele of Abeokuta South I crossed to the APC, leaving six members in the party.

The last shift occurred following the APC National Convention in Abuja, where two PDP members were seen, fully dressed in the blue APC crested attire, formalizing their transition and giving the party full control of the Assembly.

The recent six defectors are the Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye representing Odogbolu constituency, Lawal Samusideen of Ogun Waterside constituency and Adesanya Oluseun Samuel representing Ijebu North-East.

Others include Owode Waliu Ifedolapo representing Jebu East, Bello Oluwadamilare of Sagamu I, and Dickson Kolawole Awolaja representing Remo North.

The minority leader, Adeleye confirmed the move in a telephone interview, saying “That is a statement of fact. Yes, we have aligned with the APC”.

He cited the PDP’s internal crisis, with the national leadership divided between Kabiru Turaki and Nyesom Wike factions, as the reason for the defection.

Despite the court backing Wike’s faction, the lawmakers opted to join the ruling party, maintaining that it is safer to join the ruling party ahead of the next election.

His words, “We feel that instead of running under the Wike faction, which is more or less with the presidency, why not align with the presidency itself?

“Yes, we now have a homogeneous house. All APC members,” he affirmed.

It’s a move of betrayal – PDP Reacts

Reacting, the party’s state secretary, Sunday Solarin, condemned the move, describing the lawmakers’ exit as a profound betrayal of the political structure that sponsored their ascent to power.

He dismissed their justifications as opportunistic, arguing that the decision to abandon the party while clinging to legislative seats is an act of political bad faith.

According to Solarin, the move isn’t a principled stance on leadership, but a calculated abandonment of the voters who entrusted the PDP with their mandate.

Solarin stated that the lawmakers did not resign from the Assembly, pointing out the hypocrisy of rejecting the party while continuing to enjoy the constitutional privileges it provided them.

He contended that if the defectors truly believed they no longer belonged under the PDP umbrella, they should have the integrity to vacate their seats and seek a fresh mandate under the APC.

His words, “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.

“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.

Despite the total loss of legislative representation, Solarin insisted that the core of the party remains unshaken and true believers will remain steadfast and undeterred.

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

It’s a testament to our sterling performance – Ogun APC

In contrast to the PDP’s cries of betrayal, the Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Ogun State, Nuberu Femi, described the transition as a testament to the exceptional performance of the party under the leadership of governor Dapo Abiodun.

In an interview with DAILY POST, he pointed out that the APC already held a clear majority prior to these defections, maintaining that effective legislation should not be defined by an “antagonistic disposition” toward the executive.

While acknowledging that the move has weakened the PDP representation in government, Nuberu opined that political harmony is the most effective vehicle for sustainable growth.

He said, “The implications are simple. It weakens PDP representation in government and strengthens APC. This equally attests to the sterling performance of the APC led government in Ogun State under His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON.

“Before now, the ruling party APC had a clear majority in Ogun State House of Assembly. Legislation is not about antagonistic disposition to the executive arms of government. For sustainable development, stability and peace are very cardinal.”

It creates a dangerous environment for democracy, limit choices – Public Affairs analyst

A public affairs analyst, Comrade Olayinka Folarin described the emergence of a monolithic legislature as a “sad and poor development” that pushes the nation dangerously toward a one-party system.

Folarin argued that while it is the constitutional right of individuals to choose their political affiliations, such mass defections leaves the public with the “terrible option” of having no alternative voice in governance.

“It is a sad reality that beyond the state, even at the national level, the political space is tilting towards one party system. It’s not too good for our democracy and it is a very unfortunate situation.

“To me I see it as a bad development, it’s a poor development. Although every one has their right to belong to any political party of their choice, it will leave the public with a very terrible option of not having an alternative.”

Folarin, who is also the National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), asserted that once a lawmaker is elected, their primary allegiance must shift from their political party to the constitution and the people.

He warned that regardless of their new party, the lawmakers must discharge their duties without compromise.

“The party ends immediately after they are elected so they should discharge their duties accordingly,” Folarin said, calling on the lawmakers to abide by the law and the expectations of the electorate.

“They should abide by the constitution, what the laws say and what it wants from them.

“They should recharge their duties without any compromise. They are now from the same party but this should not be about the party anymor,” he asserted.

Mixed reactions as Ogun Assembly joins bandwagon, turns one party