Osun PDP Sees Recent Defectors as Political Liabilities and Celebrates Their Departure

Leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has expressed confidence and relief over the recent wave of defections, stating that those who have left the party are inconsequential and have no significant impact on its strength.

In recent months, notable figures like former Deputy National Chairman Shuaib Oyedokun, former governorship aspirant Dotun Babayemi, and PDP chieftain Kayode Oduoye have all exited the party, joining the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). The trend continued this Tuesday when Peter Babalola, another key PDP member, announced his resignation just before the party suspended him.

Addressing the situation on a radio program monitored by The Point in Osogbo, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Jacob Areola, downplayed the impact of these defections. He described the departing members as “paperweight politicians” and emphasized that their absence strengthens rather than weakens the party. Areola confidently stated, “Osun PDP today enjoys relative peace and total cohesion. The center is holding. We don’t have any problem.”

He further explained that the party is gaining new members, particularly in Irewole Local Government Area, and dismissed the defectors as liabilities rather than assets. “Their anti-party activities spoke volumes. By the performance of the governor, Osun people are happy with PDP. We are happy they left us,” Areola added.

Similarly, the immediate past chairman of Osun PDP, Akindele Adekunle, echoed these sentiments, calling Babalola’s departure a positive development for the party. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Adekunle referred to Babalola as a “political virus” whose presence would have harmed the party’s loyal members. “Thank God, he has once again demonstrated that, and let me congratulate the members of our party… that a political parasite has finally left the party,” Adekunle remarked.

Both Areola and Adekunle stressed that the recent exits have not diminished the PDP’s strength in Osun. Instead, they believe that the party is now better positioned to focus on its goals without the distractions of internal dissent.

As the PDP moves forward, it remains confident in its unity and the continued support of the people of Osun, viewing the departure of these so-called “bigwigs” as a necessary cleansing of political deadweight.