The Ogun State House of Assembly has removed Hon. Lukmon Atobatele as the Deputy Minority Leader following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made on the floor of the House during the consideration and passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, confirmed that Hon. Dickson Awolaja would replace Atobatele as the new Deputy Minority Leader, while Hon. Waliu Owode would take up the role of Deputy Minority Whip.
Atobatele’s removal marks a leadership adjustment within the minority caucus of the Assembly to reflect the new political alignment.
His defection has generated sharp reactions among political observers, who described it as a disappointment and betrayal of the mandate given to him on the platform of the PDP.
Analysts say his switch reflects a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics where elected officials often abandon the parties that brought them into office in pursuit of personal or political gains.
With this reshuffling, the PDP caucus in the Ogun State Assembly has moved to consolidate its ranks, signaling a determination to maintain cohesion despite the defection of one of its principal officers.
However, the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Olalekan Adeleye, has commended the Speaker on how he handled the matter, describing him as a true legislator who holds the legislative institution in high esteem.
He further praised Elemide as a democrat and “a Speaker for all.”
