Several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, June 9, 2025, citing deep frustration over the PDP’s continued leadership crisis and internal division.
The group of defectors includes high-ranking PDP officials, former candidates, and key party figures across Lagos. Many of them stated that they could no longer remain in a party that they believe has lost its way politically and structurally.
One of the most prominent figures in the group is the PDP Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Hakeem Amode. While addressing reporters at the defection announcement, Amode voiced his disappointment in the current state of the PDP, saying the party has drifted far from its original goals. He said it now suffers from serious instability, in-fighting, and a lack of political direction.
Another notable defector is Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem, who once served as the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Lagos. Others include former party executives and candidates who represented the PDP in the 2023 elections for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Below is the full list of defectors:
Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary
Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem
Former Deputy Governorship Candidate, PDP, Lagos State
Chief Ola Apena
Former Deputy Chairman, PDP, Lagos State
Prince Rufus Ademola Adeniyi
Former Assistant State Organizing Secretary (Lagos West), PDP, Lagos State.
Jerry Afemikhe (Olori Odo), Former PDP House of Representatives Candidate, Surulere Constituency 1
Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye
Spokesman to the 2023 Lagos PDP Governorship Candidate.
Hon. Keshinro Abiodun
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Epe State Constituency 1
Akeem Jinadu
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Eti-Osa State Constituency 1
Hon. Ibrahim Balogun
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Kosofe State Constituency 2
Taofeek Bolaji Obanikoro
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Lagos Island State Constituency 1
Tunde Pratt
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Lagos Mainland State Constituency 2
Saheed Aregbesola
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 2
Sulaimon A. Thompson
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Surulere State Constituency 1
Taofeek O. Kuye
2023 Lagos PDP LAHA Candidate for Ajeromi-Ifelodun State Constituency 1
Adeyemi Kazeem
Former PDP Chairman, Ojo Local Government
