Oyo Assembly Member, Dawood Akanni Olalere, Officially Quits PDP, Joins ADC
Hon. Dawood Akanni Olalere, the lawmaker representing the Ibadan North-West State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, has formally resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a resignation letter dated February 13, 2026 and submitted to the Chairman of Ward 7, PDP, Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Olalere stated that his decision would take immediate effect. He explained that long-running and unresolved divisions within the PDP made it no longer tenable for him to continue his membership.
Olalere said the move reflects what he believes is in the best interest of his political values and those of his supporters. Soon after the letter was submitted, he led a large crowd of his supporters to St. Patrick Primary School, Abebi in Ibadan, where he was received into the ADC by Yinka Olona, the state Chairman of the party.
The event drew singing, dancing, drumming and jubilation as the lawmaker and his supporters declared their new political home. The ADC’s Oyo State Publicity Secretary, Bimbo Adelowo, said the defection not only boosts the party’s membership but also adds a legislative seat to its strength ahead of upcoming elections.
As political realignments continue in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, this defection adds to other recent moves by politicians seeking new platforms amid internal party challenges.