Ogun 2027: Akinlade Dumps PDP

By Akinwale Kasali

The lingering crisis rocking opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, persists.

Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP at the 2023 elections in Ogun State, has announced his resignation from the Party with immediate effect.

The former Governorship Candidate in the State under the Allied Peoples Mandate, APM, in the 2019 Election explained that the decision became necessary after wide consultations and engagement with Party members, Political associates, leaders, stakeholders, family, and friends.

The former PDP Stalwart in Ogun State was running mate to the defeated Governorship Candidate of the PDP in 2023, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, Son to business Magnate, Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu.

The registration letter  dated May 26, 2025, through Ward 3, Agosasa in Ipokia local government of Ogun State for onward transmission to the National Secretariat of the Party reads; “I wish to formally notify you that I am resigning my Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.

“This decision became necessary after wide consultations and engagement with party members, political associates, leaders, stakeholders, family, and friends.

“I thank you for the support and opportunity accorded me as a member and wish you the very best.

“After a period of deep introspection and wide-ranging consultations with party members, political associates, respected leaders, stakeholders, and my family, I formally announce my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect”, he emphasised.

The letter further reads; “This decision was not taken lightly, it follows persistent and unresolved internal crises within the Ogun State chapter of the PDP, which have regrettably undermined our collective aspirations for a more inclusive, democratic, and forward-looking party”.

“Despite our genuine commitment to party-building and efforts to provide credible leadership, we were met with deliberate obstructions, institutional disregard, and repeated acts of bad faith from both zonal and national leadership of the party. Akinlade stated.

“Rather than serve as a stabilizing force and neutral arbiter, the National Working Committee (NWC) chose to align with a particular faction of the party in Ogun State, effectively abandoning its constitutional responsibility to promote unity and fairness

“This partisan posture culminated in the recognition of a parallel register during the 2024 Local Government and State Congresses, in clear violation of the PDP’s constitution and guidelines”, he argued.

“Our group had complied with all procedural requirements during the registration exercise, submitting duly compiled and authenticated membership registers containing over 49,000 names. These registers were accepted and formed the basis for the Ward Congresses of August 2024.

“However, the sudden substitution of our validated register with that of another group, and the imposition of unauthorized congress outcomes, rendered the process not only unjust but unsustainable.

“These infractions triggered parallel congresses across the 236 Wards, 20 Local Governments, and at the state level, leading to prolonged legal disputes now before the Court of Appeal.

“Yet again, during the recently concluded PDP South West Zonal Congress, the party leadership missed another opportunity for reconciliation by excluding our bloc from meaningful participation and ceding total control to one faction. ’

“The current turmoil within the national structure of the PDP, coupled with growing defections across the federation, raises valid concerns about the future and direction of the party.

“As a leader with a duty to my constituents, political family, and supporters, I cannot continue to associate with a party whose internal processes are defined by selective justice and institutional bias, ’ he declared

“Therefore, I hereby tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In the coming days, after due consultation and alignment, I will announce our next political direction, he stressed.

“To the members of the Triple A Political Family, our loyal supporters across Ogun State and beyond, I express my profound gratitude for your unwavering support, courage, and faith in our shared vision for a more prosperous and equitable Ogun State and Nigeria”, he wrote.