A gale of defections has struck the Oyo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as four prominent governorship aspirants of the party, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, Stanley Olajide (Odidiomo), Hon. Sunday Adepoju, and Mr Fatai Owoseni, have officially resigned from the party to pursue their gubernatorial ambitions on different political platforms due to the unresolved crisis at the national level of the PDP.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ajadi said the lingering internal crisis within the party could pose legal challenges to his gubernatorial aspiration in the long run, reason he resolved to realise his ambition elsewhere.
On their part, the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency representative in the House of Representatives, Hon. Stanley Olajide, and Hon. Sunday Adepoju (Ibarapa Ken) of the Ibarapa North/Central, said their resignations became necessary in view of prevailing realities within the party structure and their desire to continue pursuing their political aspirations and commitment to public service in an atmosphere that guarantees inclusiveness, stability and progressive engagement.
In his resignation letter dated May 6, 2026, and addressed to the Oyo State Chairman of the PDP at the party’s Secretariat in Molete, Ibadan, Ajadi said his decision followed “extensive consultations and careful reflection” on his political future and ideological direction.
Though he has not disclosed which party he aims to join, Ajadi said, “I am writing to officially notify you of my decision to resign from the membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), effective immediately,” Ajadi stated in the letter.
He expressed his profound appreciation to the national leadership of the PDP for the opportunity afforded him to pursue his political ambition under the party’s banner, describing politics as a vehicle for service rather than personal rivalry, while emphasising his continued commitment to democratic participation and nation-building.
According to his Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Tolu Mustapha, the House of Representatives member, Olajide Odidiomo, in his resignation letter dated May 5, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the PDP, Ward 11, Ibadan South-West local government area of Oyo state, expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the party across various levels for the support, trust and opportunities extended to him during his stay in the PDP.
Olajide noted that since joining the PDP, he had committed himself wholeheartedly to the growth and electoral success of the party, which culminated in his emergence and re-election as a member of the House of Representatives.
While the incumbent Hon. Sunday Adepoju has resigned, saying that he was consulting on his next political move since PDP has been fraught with unimaginable crisis, the retired Commissioner of Police and Special Adviser on Security to Oyo State Governor, Mr Fatai Owoseni, in his letter dated May 7, 2026, and addressed to the governor, also said that he was exploring a new terrain.
Sources within the political circles, however, hinted that his resignation may be connected to his alleged governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election. He thanked Governor Makinde for the opportunity to serve the state, which he was given.
