Osun’s Oluwole Oke Abandons PDP Amid Turmoil

 In a stunning blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, federal lawmaker Oluwole Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Constituency, announced his resignation from the party on April 23, 2025, plunging the opposition into deeper disarray ahead of the 2027 elections. 

Oke, a six-term House of Representatives veteran, cited irreconcilable differences with the state PDP leadership, particularly after his suspension for alleged loyalty to President Bola Tinubu. His exit, reported by The Whistler, marks a significant loss for the PDP, already reeling from defections nationwide.

Oke’s departure, formalized in a letter to the PDP National Chairman, followed consultations with his family and supporters, whom he urged to await his next political move. The lawmaker’s suspension by the Osun PDP stemmed from his perceived alignment with Tinubu, a charge he neither confirmed nor denied. Sources close to Oke suggest he may join the All Progressives Congress (APC), with speculations fueled by his attendance at a Tinubu rally in Osogbo alongside APC stalwarts. However, Oke remained cryptic, promising a “new direction” that would prioritize his constituents’ welfare.

The defection has ignited fierce reactions. PDP loyalists in Osun, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, accused Oke of betrayal, while APC leaders, including Gboyega Oyetola, welcomed the shift, eyeing a 2027 sweep. Constituents in Oriade expressed mixed sentiments, with some praising Oke’s infrastructure projects, others decrying his exit as opportunistic. The move mirrors broader PDP fractures, with Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori and others defecting to the APC, raising fears of a weakened opposition.