Makinde’s Ally Resigns as PDP Chair, Gives Reason

Makinde’s Ally Resigns as PDP Chair,

Seun Adelore, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan North Local Government Area and a known loyalist of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has resigned from his position and withdrawn his membership from the party. His resignation, effective July 7, 2025, was confirmed in a letter obtained in Ibadan.

Adelore cited what he described as “deep-seated injustice,” a lack of reward for loyalty, and a growing departure from democratic ideals as reasons for his exit. According to him, the PDP in Oyo State is now being run “like a private enterprise” by select factions, abandoning the transparency and collective spirit expected in party politics.

Sources within the PDP revealed that Adelore’s resignation is linked to internal disagreements over the choice of the party’s candidate for the upcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election. The party had allegedly imposed Folajimi Oyekunle, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, as the consensus candidate following a high-level meeting involving the governor and other aspirants, who subsequently stepped down in support of Oyekunle.

The by-election was triggered by the death of APC lawmaker Olaide Akinremi in July 2024.

Adelore stated that his decision was made after wide consultations and reflection, adding that it was motivated by a commitment to integrity and democratic principles. In his letter, he expressed disappointment over what he described as an erosion of core values, rising intolerance, and authoritarian tendencies within the party. He accused the leadership of punishing loyalty and ignoring the efforts of those who contributed to the party’s success in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

He described recent developments within the PDP as incompatible with its founding principles and said he could no longer lend his name to what he called “contradictions.” Quoting Niccolò Machiavelli, he warned against despotic leadership disguised in benevolence and criticized what he called “superficial accomplishments promoted by surrogates.”

Adelore thanked his supporters for their loyalty and said he remained committed to true democratic ideals and the real development of Oyo State.

As of the time of filing this report, the PDP in Oyo State had not issued an official response. Efforts to reach the state chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, were unsuccessful.