“I Did Not Receive Any Kobo” — Former Ogun Lawmaker, Adeleye Denies Money-For-Defection Claims
“I Did Not Receive Any Kobo” — Former Ogun Lawmaker, Adeleye Denies Money-For-Defection Claims
A former Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, has firmly denied allegations that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was financially motivated, insisting that no monetary inducement influenced his decision.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Monday, Adeleye described claims of bribery as “cheap propaganda,” maintaining that his move was strictly guided by political realities and the need to remain relevant within a rapidly shifting political landscape. He stressed that the decision was not personal but taken alongside other lawmakers after careful evaluation of the situation within the PDP.
“To God who made me, I Hon Lukman Adeleye Olalekan did not receive any kobo. Myself and the other members did not take a dime. This is not material-driven; it has nothing to do with money. This is a very lazy and cheap propaganda. Our decision is driven by political realities and the need to remain relevant.” He stated.
Adeleye also clarified that his defection to the APC was not based on any promise of automatic return ticket or electoral favour, insisting that he and his colleagues are prepared to undergo the party’s internal selection processes.
He explained that while there is confidence in the recognition of their political strength and contributions, no formal assurance was given regarding candidacy. According to him, the decision to align with the APC was rooted in acceptance of the party’s structures, rules, and democratic procedures, including primaries and consensus arrangements.
He maintained that their focus remains on service delivery and party discipline rather than entitlement to positions.
“The assurance I am talking about is not that the APC has told us that we will be given a ticket to return to the House. Nobody has assured us that we are going to have a ticket. We are ready to subject ourselves to the tenets, values of the party, to the dictates of the party. We are ready to abide by the rules. The electoral law has recommended direct primaries and consensus arrangements, and we are ready to subject ourselves to these arrangements. These are the assurances we have, the belief that the party appreciates our electoral value, our contributions, and the fact that we have been part of this government. So we know the party will do the needful.” He said.
Adeleye explained that the prolonged crisis within the PDP, marked by internal divisions, litigations, and leadership struggles, had made it increasingly difficult for members to operate effectively. He noted that the instability had eroded confidence in the party’s ability to function as a viable opposition platform, adding that uncertainty over its electoral direction further weakened commitment among members.
“Since 2019, we have been battling one crisis or the other. We thought it was just an internal wrangling that would soon be resolved, but unfortunately, it kept getting worse. We went through litigations, Supreme Court battles, and even after the 2023 elections, the crisis persisted. We got to a point where even the national convention was nullified by the court. We went to the Court of Appeal, and we also lost. At that stage, it became clear that the party was no longer stable,” he said.
According to him, developments within the party, including conflicting political signals from key figures, raised serious concerns about its future. He argued that remaining in such an environment would have jeopardized both his political aspirations and his ability to serve his constituents effectively.
“We all know the position of Governor Nyesom Wike. This is somebody that has openly confessed that the PDP will not be presenting presidential candidates. The implication is that the party will not be participating fully in elections. If you are in a house that is burning and you struggle for survival by escaping, I do not think that is a sin. Political survival is part of the tenets of democracy. Our political aspirations cannot be achieved under such a regime,” he said.
The lawmaker, who represents Odogbolu State Constituency, further emphasized that the defection was the outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders across his constituency, including traditional rulers, community leaders, and political associates.
He maintained that the move was endorsed at the grassroots level, describing it as a people-driven decision aimed at sustaining ongoing developmental efforts. Adeleye said the overwhelming support he received during his ward declaration reaffirmed the legitimacy of his decision.
He added that the defection has also attracted new supporters into the APC, strengthening its base within his constituency.
He also reaffirmed his confidence in retaining the mandate of his constituents, stating that his political strength is rooted in years of direct engagement and service to the people rather than party affiliation. I have been in this local government for over two and a half decades. I have lived with my people; I have contributed my quota. So for me, it is not really about political parties, it is about a people-driven movement. If you look at the last election, we got overwhelming votes from even people who are not PDP members, and that has driven our contributions and our projects.” He said.
Adeleye noted that his electoral success was built on broad support cutting across party lines, emphasizing that governance and performance remain the true measures of political legitimacy. He insisted that his long-standing relationship with the people has positioned him to continue delivering on his mandate regardless of political platform. He added that his focus remains on sustaining development and ensuring continuity in representation.
“Beyond political party, I have been in this local government for over two and a half decades. I have lived with my people and contributed my quota. For me, it is not about political parties, it is about a people-driven movement. We got overwhelming votes even from non-PDP members, and that is what drives our work and projects.”
Adeleye reiterated that political parties in Nigeria largely function as platforms for survival rather than ideology, noting that the country’s democratic system is still evolving.
He argued that the realities of Nigerian politics often compel actors to make strategic decisions in order to remain relevant and effective.
According to him, aligning with a more stable political structure was necessary to ensure continuity in governance and to better serve his constituents. He maintained that the decision to defect was ultimately in the best interest of the people he represents.
With the defection of Adeleye and five other lawmakers, the Ogun State House of Assembly is now fully controlled by the APC, effectively ending opposition representation in the legislature. The development marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape and underscores the growing dominance of the ruling party.
Adeleye further dismissed concerns that the Ogun State House of Assembly has effectively become a one-party legislature following the mass defection of lawmakers to the APC, insisting that the development does not amount to the collapse of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. He argued that the existence of other political parties across the state remains visible and active, stressing that structures of opposition parties still operate at various levels despite the numerical dominance of the ruling party in the Assembly. According to him, Nigeria’s democracy is still evolving, and what exists should not be misconstrued as the elimination of political competition. He maintained that similar political configurations have occurred in the past without fundamentally altering the democratic system.
He said; “Let me correct this impression. The House of Assembly being homogeneous does not mean the state is a one-party state. If you move around Abeokuta, you will still see secretariats of different political parties — ADC is there, Accord is there, even PDP is still there. I am a democrat. I still feel that democracy will thrive better when we allow political parties to function, but sadly we are still failing in party democracy. It is painful that we are still having internal crises and power tussles in our parties. This is a work in progress. We are not reinventing the wheel. Between 2019 and 2023, we had a similar situation in the House and the system still worked. This is not new, and it should not be exaggerated.”
While the move has sparked debate over its implications for democratic balance, Adeleye insists that legislative oversight and accountability will not be compromised. He concluded that his priority remains delivering effective governance and upholding the trust of his constituents.
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