Speaker Reads Defection Letter as Hon. Atobatele Pledges Commitment to Constituents
The political landscape of the Ogun State House of Assembly shifted further on Tuesday as the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, formally received and read a defection letter from Hon. Lukman Adebowale Atobatele, the lawmaker representing Abeokuta South Constituency I.
Hon. Atobatele, who until now was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served as the former Deputy Minority Leader of the House, announced his resignation from the PDP and immediate defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his letter to the Speaker, Atobatele attributed his decision to what he described as prolonged internal crises, persistent leadership disputes, and the absence of a clear ideological and administrative direction within the PDP at both the national and state levels. According to him, these challenges have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively and pursue the interests of the people it represents.
The lawmaker emphasized that his defection was not driven by personal ambition but by a commitment to the welfare and development of his constituents. He stated that as the elected representative of Abeokuta South Constituency I, his foremost responsibility remains the delivery of effective representation and tangible development to the people.
“This decision allows me to better align with a political platform that prioritizes progressive governance, stability, and the delivery of meaningful development to our communities,” the letter read in part.
Rt. Hon. Elemide, after reading the letter on the floor of the House, acknowledged the defection in line with legislative procedures. The announcement was greeted with mixed reactions from lawmakers, reflecting the growing political realignments within the Assembly.
Atobatele’s defection further diminishes the numerical strength of the opposition in the Ogun State House of Assembly, while consolidating the dominance of the APC in the legislative arm of government. Political observers note that the move underscores the deepening crisis within the PDP and the continued attraction of the APC to elected officials seeking political stability and influence.
With this latest development, the APC strengthens its grip on the Assembly, potentially easing the passage of executive-legislative agendas, while the opposition faces the task of reorganizing amid dwindling representation.
As the political season unfolds, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how this defection impacts governance, party dynamics, and future political alignments in Ogun State.
