Former Ogun State governorship candidate, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has officially defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing his decision as a “strategic and patriotic step” towards national renewal.
Ajadi, who made the announcement on Monday, November 10, 2025, told journalists in Abeokuta that his move followed a period of “deep reflection on Nigeria’s political direction and the need to work within a broader structure capable of driving genuine change.”
Ajadi declared: “My decision to join the Peoples Democratic Party is both strategic and patriotic. I have great respect for the NNPP and what it stands for, but at this point in our national journey, the PDP offers a wider and stronger platform for reconciliation, youth empowerment, and true federalism.”
The businessman and social reform advocate presented copies of his resignation letter to the NNPP’s ward chairman, Obafemi Owode Local Government chairman, Ogun State chairman, Southwest chairman, and national leadership.
Ajadi, who contested the Ogun governorship election in 2023 under the NNPP after stepping down as a presidential aspirant for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said his exit was not born out of conflict.
“There is no bad blood between me and my former party. I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served under its banner. However, as Nigeria continues to battle economic hardship, unemployment, and leadership challenges, it is time for patriots to close ranks and rebuild public trust in governance.”he said.
Party leaders in the Southwest have hailed Ajadi’s defection as “a major boost to the PDP’s democratic family”, noting that his entry could strengthen the party’s base ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They praised his “consistency, youth engagement, and humanitarian record,” referencing his foundation the Olufemi Ajadi Foundation, which provides grants and training for artisans, widows, and small-scale farmers.
