2026: PDP Loses Four Bigwigs In 4 Months

• Drama As Party, Babalola Disagree On Suspension

• Those Who Left Are Liabilities – PDP Spokesperson

The political transfer window ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun is gathering more momentum with the exit of former Chief of Staff, Peter Babalola from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that Babalola joined the growing list of ex-party bigwigs, including a governorship aspirant, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, and Barr. Kayode Oduoye, among others who have resigned from the ruling party in the last six months.

While Babayemi and Oyedokun, a former deputy national chairman of the PDP announced their exit on May 16; Oduoye quit the party on August 25.

Oduoye contested the House of Representatives seat for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency on the platform of the party in the 2015 general election.

The trio are now members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Babalola is yet to announce his next political move, feelers available to OSUN DEFENDER as at the time of filing this report indicate that he may also move to the main opposition party in the state.

The medium learnt the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is leaving the party for the third time after exiting in 2011, 2018 and 2024.

Further findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that some members of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s cabinet may also announce their resignation from the party in the next few months.

In his resignation letter, Oyedokun, a former PDP B.O.T member, said the party did not appreciate his experience, efforts and leadership roles.

His resignation letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP through the ward, local government and state chairmen of the party obtained late Thursday further read,  “As a functional member and leader of PDP (Ward 13, Jagun/ Osi-Bale Ode, Odo-Otin South Local Government, Osun State,) whose high electoral productivity and value have been credibly and positively acknowledged in my ward, across the local council, state and country-wide for the enhancement of the fortune of the PDP, I have the honour (though with pain) in announcing the renunciation of my membership of the party on principle, having observed that the ideals of we, founding members, had been sorely contaminated.

READ: PDP Nominates Babalola’s Replacement As Osun College Chair

“In taking this step which is not even without due consultation with my teaming loyalists in the PDP, I have consequently decided to shift my allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where I believe my experience, efforts and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.”

Speaking on behalf of his supporters,  Oduoye said his decision to join the national ruling party – APC was informed by its democratic tenets and internal democracy that define the engagement of its loyalists, pledging to work in unison with all to further strengthen the party and record electoral successes and victories.

• Drama As Party, Babalola Disagree On Suspension

There was a mild drama in the party on Tuesday following Babalola’s suspension.

The former governorship aspirant’s suspension was announced in a letter jointly signed by 17 executives of Ward 7, Irewole Local Government area and addressed to the State Chairman, Sunday Bisi.

According to the letter, Babalola’s suspension was due to alleged anti-party activities that could bring disrepute to the party. The party also accused him of not attending party meetings for the past two years.

“After exhaustive deliberations on the various anti-party activities of Elder Peter Babalola in the PDP for the past two years, and his habitual engagements in various activities that can put the party into disrepute, coupled with the fact that he has not attended the PDP ward meeting or local government meeting in the last two years, the executive of PDP in Ward 07, Irewole local government hereby suspends Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola from PDP ward 07, Irewole local government with effect today 27th August 2024.

“By this suspension, Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola seizes to be a member of PDP ward 07, Irewole local government”, the letter reads.

But in a letter that surfaced online after the suspension, OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Babalola had earlier tendered his resignation to the party’s leadership in the state prior the announcement.

The letter was dated August 27, 2024 and addressed to the state chairman, Sunday Bisi.

He attributed his resignation to personal convictions.

A copy of the letter obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday reads: “I am writing to formally notify you of my decision to resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), effective immediately.

“This decision comes after careful reflection and consideration of my personal values , goals, and the political direction I wish to pursue.

“I wish the PDP continued success in its future endeavours and hope for the advancement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

• Those Who Left Are Liabilities – PDP Spokesperson

Reacting to the rising exit of major bigwigs from the party on a radio programme in Osogbo, on Wednesday, Osun State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Jacob Areola, described those who left the party as paperweight politicians, adding that the party is happy to lose them.

He denied that their loss had depleted the party, maintaining that there was no crisis in the ruling party.

“Osun PDP as at today enjoys a relative peace and there is total cohesion. The centre is holding. We don’t have any problem,” he stated.

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According to him, the party is gaining other members especially in Irewole Local Government Area of the state, stressing that those who left are “liabilities, only bigwigs in names but in actions, they are paperweight.”

“Baba Shuaib Oyedokun had already left the party. Dotun Babayemi played down the party. Kayode Oduoye had left the party in spirit even before his final exit. They are not bigwigs, they are paperweight. Their anti-party activities speak volume.

“By the performance of the governor, Osun people are happy with PDP. We are happy they left us. Their staying in the party is liability, not asset,” he added.