Ex-Gov’ship Candidate Dumps PDP After Allies Join ADC
Former Ondo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Eyitayo Jegede, has resigned from the party amid its prolonged leadership crisis and the defection of some of his loyalists to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Jegede, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the administration of ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 7, 2026.
The letter addressed to the Chairman of Ward 11, Owode/Imagun Ward, Akure South Local Government Area, Mr Fabiyi Kole Adewale.
Jegede stated that his decision to quit the opposition party took immediate effect.
“Kindly take this as a formal notice of my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, effective immediately,” he wrote.
Confirming the development, Jegede told newsmen that he had indeed resigned from the PDP but said he would announce his next political move at the appropriate time.
“Yes, I can confirm my resignation from the PDP. I will also let you know my next political move,” he was quoted as saying.
Jegede contested the Ondo State governorship election on the PDP platform in 2016 and 2020, losing both contests to the late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His resignation comes months after several politicians associated with him left the PDP for the ADC, a development that had fuelled speculation about his own political future.
Among those who defected was Hon. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwunmi, a known associate of Jegede, who has aligned with the ADC-backed opposition coalition.
Akinwunmi is currently the ADC candidate for the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
Although Jegede has not publicly disclosed his next political destination, sources familiar with the development said he is expected to formally join the ADC.
The sources further claimed that Jegede is considering the ADC platform as he prepares for another attempt at the Ondo State governorship, this time in the 2028 election.
If confirmed, the move would deepen the ongoing realignment within the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections and potentially alter the political equation in Ondo State.
The ADC has recently emerged as a major destination for opposition politicians seeking an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 polls, attracting figures from established political parties.
Jegede’s exit also comes against the backdrop of the PDP’s unresolved leadership crisis, with rival factions laying claim to the leadership and control of the party.
Two major camps have been at the centre of the dispute, including the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, associated with the minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and another group led by Kabiru Turaki.
The divisions have continued to raise concerns about the party’s organisational strength and ability to mount a formidable challenge in the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP has dismissed a report alleging that the party is mobilising grassroots support for the presidential ambition of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo ahead of the 2027 general election.
The state chairman of the party, Lanre Omolase, described the report as false, fabricated and unauthorised.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Omolase said the publication did not originate from the recognised leadership of the Ekiti PDP and was allegedly intended to create confusion over the party’s political position.
He also denied any relationship between the Ekiti PDP and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), saying the party had not authorised or commenced any mobilisation for Makinde.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ekiti State PDP, under my leadership hereby distance itself completely from both the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and any purported presidential mobilisation project for Governor Seyi Makinde.
“No such mobilisation has been authorised, inaugurated or undertaken by the Ekiti State PDP leadership,” he said.
Omolase further accused Makinde of what he described as betrayal, declaring that the Ekiti PDP would not support his presidential ambition.
“Most importantly, Governor Seyi Makinde has never stopped to demonstrate treachery and we in the PDP in Ekiti State will not have anything to do with such a character who is only stable in betrayal,” he stated.
