The defection of two senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked heated debate in Osun State and across the nation. While some see the move as a strategic realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, others argue it’s a political misstep that could cost the lawmakers dearly. In the thick of the discourse is Hezekiah Bamiji, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who described the senators’ switch as a “miscalculation.” His statement has intensified discussion about party loyalty, political timing, and the wider implications of the Osun PDP senator’s defection.
A Matter of Misjudgment or Momentum?
Bamiji didn’t mince words on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief when he openly criticized Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central) for jumping ship. According to him, the senators acted on unverified rumours that Governor Adeleke was planning to join the APC, an assumption he says led them astray. “Maybe what I can say is a kind of miscalculation on the part of the lawmakers. The rumour perhaps overwhelmed them,” Bamiji said.
His comments paint a picture of senators in panic mode, trying to stay ahead of the curve in a political game where timing can either make or break a career. It also highlights the complexities of Nigerian politics, where whispers and body language often outweigh formal declarations.
Many watchers of the Osun political space agree that the senators’ move appeared premature. The Nation Digest News observed that no formal indication had come from Adeleke about leaving the PDP, despite his recent visits to President Bola Tinubu. Yet, the meeting sparked speculation that rippled through the PDP ranks.
“The governor is the leader of the party in Osun State,” Bamiji continued. “I felt they should have consulted with their leader and perhaps also the people in their various constituencies, but I am not sure that was done.”
This lack of consultation has drawn criticism not just from within the PDP but also from politically conscious Nigerians on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), @AdetunjiAdewolu wrote, “APC set the trap; Osun lawmakers walked right in. Politics no be child’s play.”
Public Perception and Party Strategy
The public response has been far from uniform. While some accuse the senators of betraying their constituents and acting out of self-interest, others view the move as a pragmatic decision in anticipation of the 2027 elections. The ruling APC, with its growing majority in the Senate, could offer more legislative influence and access to national resources.
Still, the Osun PDP senator’s defection has exposed deep divisions within the party, prompting many to question how united the PDP truly is in Osun and beyond. Bamiji suggested that the senators walked into a “trap” laid by the APC, implying that the defections were not organic but orchestrated to weaken the PDP from within.
A social media user, @SirJay1985, pointed the finger back at Adeleke: “It is the governor that miscalculated. How do you support a presidential candidate in another party when the presidential election, senate and HOA will take place the same day?” This view underscores the confusion and conflicting loyalties that have plagued the PDP since the 2023 general elections.
What is evident is that party politics in Nigeria often boils down to survival and opportunity. @Otexxie summed it up well: “It’s politics and a game of interest. Let’s see how it plays out.” Whether the senators’ move will pay off remains to be seen, but it has certainly changed the political dynamics in Osun.
Also Read: Adeleke at a Crossroads: Has the APC Truly Slammed the Door?
Strategic or Self-Serving? The Bigger Picture
The defection of Fadahunsi and Fadeyi has not just altered party and recalibrated power equations in the Senate. With the APC now holding 70 seats and the PDP down to 28, the ruling party’s grip on legislative processes has tightened. But beyond the arithmetic, the question remains: what motivated the senators to defect?
If, as Bamiji suggests, their decision was rooted in speculation about Adeleke’s political intentions, then the move may prove hasty. The governor, his brother Adedeji Adeleke, and his nephew Davido’s recent visit to Tinubu may have been symbolic or personal rather than political. Yet, in a country where optics can quickly spiral into political narratives, even a handshake can be seen as an endorsement.
Interestingly, Bamiji made it clear that Governor Adeleke has no plans to defect. “Even if the governor was going to move, did they ask the governor any questions? Yes, the APC set a trap for them, and they entered,” he emphasized. That remark repositions Adeleke as a stable leader who is focused on governance rather than political gamesmanship.
Still, questions remain. Could the defections reflect deeper dissatisfaction within the PDP? Were the senators simply aligning with what they perceive to be the center of future political gravity?
Game On or Game Over?
The Osun PDP senator’s defection has opened up more questions than answers. Was this a misstep driven by faulty intelligence, or a forward-looking political gamble? For the senators, time will tell if the decision aligns them with progress or pits them against the tide.
What is certain is that political loyalty, communication, and clarity remain critical. In the fast-paced, rumor-fueled arena of Nigerian politics, even the slightest miscalculation can lead to major shifts.
As citizens and political observers, we must ask: Should elected officials consult their constituencies before switching parties? And how much weight should be given to political rumors when making such consequential decisions?
Feel free to share your thoughts. Do you believe the senators acted in good faith, or were they simply pawns in a larger political game?
