In a dramatic political shift, Hon. Oluwole Oke, the six-term member of the House of Representatives representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency of Osun State, has attributed his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).to the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, as well as the internal crises and leadership breakdown within the opposition party.
Oke, a key figure in the PDP for years, while speaking on the Frontline programme on Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese-Ijebu on Wednesday, outlined his admiration for President Tinubu, citing the president’s bold economic reforms and his “Nigeria First” policy as factors that solidified his resolve to make the switch.
Oke noted that many of Tinubu’s mentees have made significant strides in Nigerian politics, and he felt compelled to join the ranks of those working towards a more progressive future.
Oke also commended the president for his decisive economic moves, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the controversial floating of the naira—measures that have reshaped Nigeria’s economic landscape since Tinubu’s inauguration in May 2023.
While Oke’s defection on April 23, 2025, came as no surprise to political observers, his candid remarks on the state of his former party, the PDP, drew attention.
Oke pointed to deep-rooted internal issues within the PDP, saying the party had failed to manage its affairs, which ultimately led to its fracturing.
“The leadership of the PDP has failed. We caused it. We didn’t plan strategically. We planned to fail, and we failed.
“The party is fractured; it’s like a marriage that has broken down irretrievably,” Oke said, adding that the party’s internal mechanisms were no longer functioning, leaving the party in turmoil.
Despite being one of the most vocal critics of the PDP’s leadership, Oke dismissed rumors that financial inducement had played a role in his defection.
He firmly denied any such claims, describing them as “unfounded and untrue.”
Oke emphasized that his move to the APC was not driven by personal financial gain, but rather by his commitment to delivering tangible benefits to his constituents.
The lawmaker revealed that his decision was driven by a desire to empower the youth in his constituency and address the decaying infrastructure that has plagued the region.
He stated that his primary motivation was to bring much-needed development to the people he represents.
Oke’s defection also follows a series of high-profile exits from the PDP, particularly in Delta State, where the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and several key lawmakers, including members of the Delta State House of Assembly, recently joined the APC.
These defections have dealt a severe blow to the PDP’s influence in the region, further amplifying Oke’s decision to join the APC.
The lawmaker, who has been linked to a potential governorship ambition, also mentioned that his support for a Yoruba president was another reason for his departure from the PDP.
He criticized the refusal of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to address the infrastructural decay in his federal constituency, which he claimed contributed to his growing disillusionment with the PDP.
As Oke sets his sights on the future with the APC, his defection is expected to reverberate across the political landscape, further intensifying the competition between Nigeria’s two dominant parties.
In a final statement, Oke affirmed that he was fully committed to the APC’s goals and would work tirelessly to secure a better future for his constituents and the nation as a whole.
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