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The development comes as loyalists of Governor Seyi Makinde await his directive on the political direction for the next election cycle.
Makinde had earlier hinted that he would unveil his preferred successor on May 8, ahead of the May 10 deadline for the submission of political party digital registers in preparation for party primaries and the 2027 elections.
Reports indicate that former Commissioner for Finance under the late Abiola Ajimobi administration, Bimbo Adekanmbi, may emerge as the governor’s preferred candidate.
Sources close to the governor also revealed that Makinde may direct his loyalists to move en masse to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to pursue their ambitions due to the prolonged crisis within the PDP.
Although the defectors have yet to publicly declare their new political platforms, insiders at the party secretariat in Ibadan disclosed that many are considering either the APM or the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Among those who resigned are the lawmaker representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Abass Adigun, popularly known as Agboworin; Executive Adviser to Governor Makinde on Security, Fatai Owoseni; House of Representatives member representing Ibarapa Central, Adebayo Adepoju; federal lawmaker Stanley Olajide, also known as Odidiomo; Egbeda/Ona-Ara aspirant Temitope Oladimeji popularly called O’tope; Oke-Ogun lawmaker Shina Oyedeji; Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji; and governorship aspirant Olufemi Ajadi, among others.
Most of the defectors blamed their exit on unresolved leadership crises within the PDP, which they fear could jeopardise their political ambitions ahead of 2027.
Adebayo Adepoju, popularly known as Ibarapakan, said his resignation was due to the “leadership crisis rocking the party.”
Similarly, Oluyole LG Chairman Akeem Olatunji, in a resignation letter dated May 5, 2026, cited disagreements among the party’s national leadership as the reason for his decision.
Olatunji appreciated party leaders for the opportunity to serve and specifically thanked key stakeholders, including the state chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, vice chairman Wasiu Adeleke, and his political benefactor, Seye Famojuro.
Governorship aspirant Olufemi Ajadi also confirmed that his resignation followed extensive consultations and was aimed at pursuing his ambition on another platform due to unresolved crises at the national level of the PDP.
Political observers believe the mass resignations could significantly reshape the political landscape in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP remains divided between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee backed by Governor Makinde.
Both camps continue to battle for control of the party’s leadership structure following the controversy surrounding the nullification of the PDP convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
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