Former Ondo PDP Spokesman Resigns, Says Umbrella in tatters

The crisis in the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated with the resignation of its immediate past spokesman, Mr. Banji Okunomo, who confirmed that the party is “on its way to the morgue.”

Okunomo, a forefront party leader and former governorship aspirant, cited entrenched internal crises, whimsical leadership, and complete loss of cohesion as some of the fundamental reasons that prompted him to leave the PDP.

He used a scathing statement to criticize the party’s national leadership, particularly in their handling of the 2023 presidential election, which he described as “a lost cause.”

To him, further legal action regarding the results of the elections was unnecessary and further demonstrated the party’s disorganization.

“It is a disappointment to watch a once vibrant political platform reduced to a stage of confusion and self-interest,” Okunomo stated. “I can no longer identify with a process that has lost focus and relevance entirely. The party, as currently constituted, is on its way to the morgue.”

His resignation is one of a series of high-level resignations from the PDP in Ondo State within the past one year. In July 2024, immediate former state chairman Hon. Ebenezer Alabi also resigned his membership, accusing party leaders of financial impropriety.

Alabi alleged money for election mobilization was always diverted for personal use, with leaders seeing elections as a way of making money rather than as an exercise in public service.

“It’s clear that the party has been turned into a cash cow by some individuals. They only care about how much money they can make during every election period,” Alabi said.

To complement the defection wave, in August 2023, no fewer than 203 former councillors and some former vice chairmen of local governments in all the 18 local government areas of Ondo State dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors praised the leadership style of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and cited the need to belong to a party with direction and vision as the reason for their action.

The collective effect of all these defections and resignations has gravely undermined the PDP in Ondo State, putting in jeopardy its viability for the 2025 governorship and legislative polls.

Political analysts note that if the PDP does not take immediate action to embark on reform and reconciliation, it will lose more of its support base in the South-West geo-political zone.