Defections Won’t Weaken Us, Says Lagos PDP
Kehinde Adeleye
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted claims that its structure has weakened following the defection of former Publicity Secretary Hakeem Amode and others to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
PDP State Secretary Soji Orioye in a statement on Tuesday
asserted that the party remains strong and intact despite the departure of certain individuals.
While announcing his defection, Amode claimed that the entire PDP structure in Lagos State, from ward to state level, would collapse.
However, the PDP leadership dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Amode had long been distancing himself from the party’s activities.
Orioye stated, “The attention of the State Executive Committee has been drawn to social media videos and reports of the defection of Alhaji Hakeem Amode and others to the APC, where they were received by Jide Adediran (Jandor).
“As much as politics is about interest, and those involved have followed their interest to the APC, we wish them well in their sojourn.
“However, the claim by Amode that they have collapsed the PDP structure in the state is laughable and can only be described as a comic remark.”
He added that Amode, who had abandoned his official role as PDP Publicity Secretary for campaign duties, had not attended party meetings in a considerable period and was in no position to speak on the state of the party’s structure.
“We wonder how someone who abandoned his office as state publicity secretary and became campaign publicity secretary and hasn’t attended a meeting in a very long while understands the party restructuring, not to talk about collapsing the structure you are no more part of.
“The PDP structure in Lagos remains solid and is progressing, especially after healing from internal wounds inflicted by Jandor and his allies,” Orioye said.
He accused the defectors of returning to their “paymasters” in the APC. Orioye asserted that the party is actively preparing for the upcoming local government elections with strong candidates at all levels.
The State Secretary argued that a supposedly collapsing party would not be capable of fielding such a comprehensive slate of candidates. He urged PDP members and supporters to remain focused and committed, emphasizing that the leadership is dedicated to rebuilding the party into a powerful force within Lagos State.
While wishing the defectors well in their future endeavors, Orioye cautioned them against making further public statements regarding the PDP.
