PDP Crisis Deepens as Oyo Assembly Member Joins ADC

PDP Crisis Deepens as Oyo Assembly Member Joins ADC
He cited unresolved internal party divisions.
ADC says defection strengthens Assembly presence.

A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan North-West State Constituency, Dawood Olalere, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and defected to the African Democratic Congress.

Olalere’s resignation was contained in a letter dated February 13, 2026, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 7 in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area. A copy of the letter was obtained in Ibadan on Monday. He stated that his resignation takes immediate effect.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the lawmaker attributed his decision to internal crises within the party, describing it as the result of “long lingering and unresolvable division bedevilling the party.” He added that the move was taken in his best interest and in line with the expectations of his supporters.

Shortly after announcing his resignation, Olalere led a large number of his supporters to St. Patrick Primary School, Abebi, Ibadan, where he was formally received by the leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

Explaining his decision to join the ADC, Olalere said, “My choice of ADC is born out of my desire and conviction for a better Nigeria.”

His defection adds to a series of notable exits from the PDP in Oyo State in recent months.

In October 2025, former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Agboola Ayoola, resigned from the party, ending years of political association. Ayoola, an indigene of Itesiwaju Local Government Area, previously served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under former governors Rashidi Ladoja and the late Adebayo Alao-Akala between 2003 and 2011. He was also the only PDP senator elected from the South-West between 2011 and 2015.

Similarly, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Bisi Ilaka, last week resigned his membership of the PDP, thanking the party for the platform it provided him to serve at the state and national levels.

Receiving Olalere and his supporters, the ADC State Chairman, Yinka Olona, described the development as a major boost for the party.

Also speaking, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Bimbo Adelowo, said the defection would strengthen the party’s structure and improve its prospects ahead of future elections.

“The state Chairman, Yinka Olona, received Dawood Olalere, the current member of the state House of Assembly representing Ibadan North-West State Constituency, into ADC today, Monday, February 16.