PDP’s Diran Odeyemi Vows Recall of Rep. Wole Oke Over Defection to APC

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diran Odeyemi, has vowed to initiate a recall process against Wole Oke, the lawmaker representing Ijesa North (Obokun/Oriade) Federal Constituency, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oke, a fifth-term member of the House of Representatives, officially resigned from the PDP in a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to the party’s Ward 7 Chairman in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.

He cited the PDP’s declining political strength as a key reason for his departure.

Speaking during a current affairs programme on Rave FM, Osogbo, Oke criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s political appointees from his constituency, describing them as politically and financially weak. He also expressed doubts over the PDP’s capacity to win future elections in the area.

In a swift response, Odeyemi challenged Oke to resign and re-contest his seat under the APC to validate his popularity.

“We thank him. But on behalf of PDP leaders of thought, I want to challenge him to resign his current mandate, which ends in 2027,” Odeyemi said in a statement.

“He should ask INEC to conduct fresh elections in our federal constituency and test his popularity under another political platform. If he fails to do this, the constituents will begin a formal recall process.”

Odeyemi dismissed the significance of Oke’s defection, describing the lawmaker as a political liability to the party. “The coming months will reveal his true worth to his new friends. Voters are prepared to take action. Rather, we gain more by offloading political baggage dragging us back,” he added.

He further accused Oke of sabotaging the PDP by leaking internal strategies to opposition figures and working covertly with the APC even before his defection.

Odeyemi reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to supporting Governor Adeleke’s reelection bid in 2026, stating that the party remains united and focused despite Oke’s departure.