A former Lagos State House of Assembly aspirant for Alimosho Constituency II, Hon. Olalekan Anjolaiya, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Labour Party.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, Anjolaiya cited what he described as the PDP’s “dwindling ideological integrity, structural weaknesses, and a concerning closeness to the ruling All Progressives Congress” as reasons for his defection.

Anjolaiya, who contested for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2022, also served as a member of the PDP Local Government Executive in Alimosho, where he played a key role in the party’s rebranding and reform agenda.

However, he said the party had lost its ideological focus in recent times, abandoning its role as a credible opposition to become, in his words, a mere appendage of the ruling APC.

“The PDP no longer functions as a credible opposition. It has lost its ideological focus, its moral compass, and its voice. Today, it operates more like an appendage of the APC than a people-centred alternative,” Anjolaiya stated.

The former PDP council executive, who currently serves as the Lead Visioneer of The New Initiative Movement, described the Labour Party as “a credible and people-driven platform to reignite democratic engagement and usher in transformational leadership.”

He added, “Nigeria needs a renewed political culture rooted in integrity, service, and inclusivity. We are aligning with a party that reflects the real aspirations of the people, not the interests of the entrenched political elite.”

According to him, the defection marks a significant shift in Lagos’ political landscape, particularly in Alimosho LGA, where he has consistently championed civic consciousness and progressive politics.

Reaffirming his commitment to good governance, he pledged to work with the LP leadership to wrest political control from the APC in Lagos State.

“As a proud Awori son of Igando, Alimosho, I believe the days of political intimidation and tribal politics in Lagos are over. The people are ready for a new era of issue-based, inclusive, and people-oriented governance,” he added.