The Ogun State House of Assembly on Monday witnessed a major political realignment as a lawmaker representing Ijebu North State Constituency, Hon. Rasheed Kashamu, formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irreconcilable differences and deep-seated divisions within the opposition party at both state and national levels.
Hon. Kashamu, a former Minority Whip of the House, conveyed his decision through a letter read at plenary by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide. According to the Speaker, the lawmaker officially notified the Assembly of his resignation from the PDP and his defection to the APC, attributing his action to factional disputes at the national level and leadership tussles that have polarised the party in Ogun State.
Explaining the rationale behind his defection, Hon. Kashamu said his move was in the interest of his constituents and in line with his belief in progressive governance. He stated that after wide consultations with political leaders and supporters in Ijebu North, the decision was reached to move en masse into the APC to consolidate their political strength and support the policies and programmes of the current administration.
He noted that the persistent crises rocking the PDP at the national level, coupled with unresolved leadership struggles at the state level, had made it impossible for the party to function effectively as a viable platform for development-oriented politics.
Hon. Kashamu further declared his resolve to align with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s developmental strides under the ISEYA Agenda, as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
According to him, “After a review of the current state of affairs of the PDP at the national level, characterised by factions and unresolved leadership crises, and considering the pro-people mandate freely given to me by my constituents in Ijebu North I State Constituency, I have agreed with my leaders and teeming supporters to move en masse into the APC. This is to bring our winning formula into the APC and to fully support the ISEYA Agenda of our Governor and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The lawmaker informed the House that he had since completed his registration with the APC at his Oke-Sopen Ward in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, alongside his supporters drawn from across the constituency.
Following the announcement, Hon. Kashamu was formally welcomed into the APC fold by his colleagues, led by the Speaker, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. His wife, uncle and other well-wishers were present to witness the event.
Meanwhile, in another development, the House also acknowledged a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun, seeking legislative confirmation of Mr. Abdul Najeem Olayinka as the new Auditor-General for Local Governments in Ogun State. The nomination follows the retirement of the immediate past Auditor-General, Mr. Lamidi Mulero.
The Speaker subsequently directed the nominee to appear before the House for screening on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by 12 noon. He also instructed Mr. Olayinka to submit 30 copies each of his curriculum vitae and other relevant credentials to the Assembly on or before Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by 10 a.m.
The developments underscored the day’s plenary as one marked by both significant political realignment and key administrative processes in the Ogun State legislature.
