The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Hakeem Amode, along with several prominent party members, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during a press conference held in Ikeja on Monday.
The decision comes shortly after Olajide Adediran, better known as Jandor and the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, also moved to the APC.
Amode and others described Jandor’s defection as a source of inspiration for their own move.
Among the defectors are former PDP Assistant State Organising Secretary (Lagos West), Prince Rufus Adeniyi; former House of Representatives candidate for Surulere I, Jerry Afemikhe (also known as Olori Odo); and several 2023 State Assembly candidates including Keshinro Abiodun (Epe I), Akeem Jinadu (Eti-Osa I), Ibrahim Balogun (Kosofe II), Taofeek Obanikoro (Lagos Island I), Tunde Pratt (Lagos Mainland II), Saheed Aregbesola (Oshodi-Isolo II), Sulaimon Thompson (Surulere I), and Taofeek Kuye (Ajeromi-Ifelodun I). Also among the group are Adeyemi Kazeem, former PDP chairman of Ojo LGA, and Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye, who was a media aide to Jandor.
Speaking to the press, Amode explained that the group’s decision followed long and careful reflection, citing persistent internal problems within the PDP.
According to him, the party in Lagos is plagued by disunity, poor leadership, and an inability to deliver results.
He noted that after years of loyalty and political efforts that often led to setbacks, it was time to reassess their direction.
Amode said many of the defectors have formally resigned from their roles at all levels of the PDP and are ready to contribute more meaningfully through the APC.
He expressed confidence that their move would help improve governance in Lagos.
Safurat Abdulkareem, a two-time PDP deputy governorship candidate, also expressed her commitment to working with the APC to support development in Lagos.
Similarly, Chief Ola Apena, a former PDP deputy chairman in the state, lamented the PDP’s internal struggles and its fading relevance in Lagos politics.
Ibrahim Balogun, speaking on behalf of the former State House of Assembly candidates, said they had remained loyal to the PDP for nearly two decades without seeing any real progress.
He confirmed their decision to support President Bola Tinubu and work with the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, reaffirming their belief in Jandor’s leadership.
Jandor, who welcomed the new defectors, praised their move as a practical and forward-thinking decision.
He said the time had come to consolidate political strength and move away from a party that had repeatedly failed to win elections or bring meaningful change to the people of Lagos.
He said the focus now is on building a more inclusive and effective political force within the APC.
