Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) a "nationwide empty shell," saying its ranks have been decimated by a wave of high-profile defections.

He described the remaining PDP members as “Internally Displaced Politicians” seeking political shelter.

The governor made the statement on Wednesday at a grand reception in Abeokuta to welcome several former PDP stalwarts into the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold.

Among those formally received into the ruling party were the Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, PDP’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate and former member of the House of Representatives; Dr. Sikirullahi Ogundele, former PDP State Chairman; and Hon. Lukman Atobatele, Deputy Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly

Others were Hon. Idowu Olowofuja, former Chief Whip of the Ogun State House of Assembly; Rotimi Rahman (Arugbo), former Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Chairman, and Dr. Mojeed Ekelojumati, former ALGON Chairman

Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun praised the defectors for returning to what he described as their "natural political home."

He echoed Ogundele’s earlier comment, claiming that "every responsible member of PDP in Ogun State has left the party."

“PDP nationwide has become an empty shell.

“As a matter of fact, they have been referred to as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). They are looking for IDP camps. They went to the SDP, they were not accommodated, ditto the ADC. They are still displaced,” Abiodun said.

He further attributed the defections to the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the growing appeal of the APC nationwide.

Governor Abiodun assured the new members of full integration into the party structure, promising them equal rights, responsibilities, and privileges.

“You are back home. This party belongs to all of us. You are leaders in your own right, and we will continue to work together to move Ogun State forward,” he said.

In his remarks, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, who lost the 2019 governorship election to Abiodun under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), expressed gratitude for the warm reception and dignity accorded to them throughout the defection process.

“We are here to support you, Your Excellency; to support the party, and to commit our loyalty absolutely to you and to the APC,” Akinlade said. “We are here to work with you, and we will align with your leadership.”

The mass defection comes amid rising internal divisions within the PDP in the country, mounting challenges at the national level for the main opposition party.