Why I Left PDP: Hon. Oluwole Oke Breaks Silence on Channels TV
On April 28th, which was also his birthday, Hon. Oluwole Oke, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State, appeared on Political Paradigm, a program on Channels TV hosted by Terri Ikumi. During the interview, he shared the reasons behind his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Hon. Oke, things have not been going well in Osun State under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke. He pointed out several issues such as poor roads, lack of school facilities, unemployment among teachers and nurses, and the government’s failure to fix problems in his constituency. He also said that the governor does not involve party leaders in decision-making.
He said, “Our people are suffering. The roads are bad, health care is poor, many youths have no jobs, and even traditional issues like land and chieftaincy disputes are not being addressed.”
Oke also said that within the PDP, things have become difficult for leaders like him because the governor no longer listens to advice or works closely with party members. He made it clear that his move to the APC was not for personal gain but to get better support to help his people.
“This is not about me. It’s about the people I represent. They deserve better,” he said.
Reactions to His Defection
After Oke’s announcement, the PDP caucus from Osun in the House of Representatives responded by saying they are still loyal to Governor Adeleke. They described Oke’s move as disappointing and said he had enjoyed the party’s support for over 20 years.
Also, PDP leaders and supporters in Obokun and Oriade came together to show their support for the governor. They said the state government has done good work in the area, such as fixing roads, improving schools, and upgrading health centres. They rejected Oke’s claims that the area had been neglected.
Meanwhile, Oke’s defection is not the only one in the state. Earlier in the month, over 500 PDP members in Ikire also left the party to join the APC. Many of them said they were not happy with how the party was being run.
