A former National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diran Odeyemi, has threatened a recall process against Hon. Wole Oke, a five-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ijesa North (Obokun/Oriade) Federal Constituency, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oke officially severed ties with the PDP in a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to his party’s Ward 7 Chairman in Obokun Local Government Area, ending his long-standing affiliation with the PDP.
Speaking during a current affairs programme on Rave FM Osogbo, Oke claimed the PDP no longer possessed the political strength to win elections in his constituency. He further criticized key political appointees under Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing them as lacking both political relevance and financial capacity.
Reacting to Oke’s resignation and comments, Odeyemi, in a public statement, challenged the lawmaker to resign his seat and face a fresh election under the APC to validate his popularity.
“We thank him for leaving, but I challenge Hon. Wole Oke to resign from the mandate he got under PDP. Let him ask INEC to conduct a fresh election in our federal constituency and contest on his new platform,” Odeyemi said.
He warned that if Oke fails to vacate his seat voluntarily, PDP stakeholders in the constituency would initiate a formal recall process.
Odeyemi dismissed concerns over the impact of Oke’s departure, asserting that the PDP had not lost a key figure. Instead, he suggested the party was better off without him.
“Voters are ready to act. The coming months will show his real value to his new party. We’ve only rid ourselves of a political liability slowing our progress,” he remarked.
The PDP chieftain further alleged that Oke had long undermined the party from within, accusing him of covertly aiding the APC by leaking sensitive strategies and weakening internal cohesion.
Odeyemi also reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to supporting Governor Adeleke’s reelection bid in 2026, stating that the party remains united and focused on future victories.
