“Labour Party in Oluyole Claims No Loss After Abdullahi Okedeji’s Defection to PDP”
The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State has strongly stated that it has lost no valuable members following the defection of one of its former members, Abdullahi Okedeji, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A joint statement released by the party’s Oluyole Local Government chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Moronkeji, along with other party executives, including Secretary Mr. Peter Olawole, Woman Leader Mrs. Beauty Okobi, Youth Leader Jeje Ibukun, and Public Relations Officer Adedayo Abdulwahab Arowolo, addressed Okedeji’s defection.
The statement clarified that Okedeji, known as “Better Life,” had not been an active member of the Labour Party for months before his recent defection. “Abdullahi Okedeji has not been participating in party activities since October 2024. He has not been a member of our party for some time before his decision to leave,” the party leadership stated.
The statement also disputed claims made by Okedeji at his defection event, where he claimed to have brought a significant portion of the Labour Party structure in Oluyole to the PDP. The LP leadership emphasized that the individuals presented as party members during the event were primarily hired for the occasion, with only three being personal friends of Okedeji who had joined the Labour Party over a year ago.
“Okedeji’s defection was not supported by any of our committed members, including our councillorship candidates from the last local government elections,” the statement read. “His political ideology, which was centered on personal gain, did not align with the values of the Labour Party.”
The Labour Party also accused Okedeji of being a “spy” planted by the PDP in Oluyole, noting that he had originally come from the PDP with hopes of securing the chairmanship ticket during the last local government elections. However, the party saw through his plans and instead made him the vice-chairmanship candidate. After the elections, Okedeji returned to the PDP.
Despite Okedeji’s departure, the Labour Party leadership in Oluyole expressed confidence that the party’s influence in the local government remains strong. “The fear of the Labour Party in Oluyole is real, even though the PDP is in power here,” the statement read. “The people of Oluyole are rejecting the PDP and embracing the Labour Party’s ideals of good governance.”
The Labour Party in Oluyole has noted an increase in membership and support from the community, attributing it to the party’s resonating manifesto for the people of the area. “Our party remains united and focused on delivering good governance for the citizens of Oluyole. We are stronger than ever as we prepare for the 2027 elections,” the statement concluded.
