Senator Balogun, Olubadan’s Brother Resigns From PDP

The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Kola Balogun, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The senator, younger brother of the recently installed Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II, had at the weekend alleged that he was denied a second term ticket by Governor Seyi Makinde owing to his relationship with the monarch.

The resignation of the senator was contained in a letter addressed to the chairman of the party in Ward 12, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area.

The letter, dated 28 April, 202 was received and acknowledged by the PDP Ward Chairman, Tijani Wasiu, on 29 April 2022.

The vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development did not however state any reason for leaving the party.

Senator Balogun, in the letter, titled, “Letter of Resignation From The Peoples Democratic Party”, simply said the resignation took effect on 28 April 2022.

He thanked the party for giving him the opportunity to serve Oyo South Senatorial District in the ninth Senate of the National Assembly.

Senator Balogun said he enjoyed the cooperation of the PDP leadership and its members throughout April and wished the party the best of luck.

“I, Senator Dr Kola Balogun, senator presently representing Oyo South Senatorial District at the 9th Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, hereby tender my membership resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria, with effect from today 28th Aril, 2022.

“I thank the party for giving me the opportunity to serve my people in the capacity of a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for and your cooperation which I enjoyed till the month of April 2022.

“I wish the party the best of luck. I thank you,” Senator Balogun, who, until his resignation, was the only PDP senator from Oyo State in the ninth Senate, said.

Senator Balogun, in a statement at the weekend titled: “Real Facts Why Makinde Denied Olubadan’s Brother A Second Term Ticket”, said the governor was initially against the idea of dropping him as a Senator but later succumbed to pressure.

Governor Seyi Makinde, about two weeks ago, gave his anointed candidate, Mr Joseph Tegbe, the PDP ticket to contest the 2023 senatorial election in Oyo South Senatorial District.

The governor, among other reasons, reportedly alleged that Senator Kola Balogun has not performed and that he is not taking care of the party leaders in the senatorial district.

However, breaking his silence on the issue, Senator Balogun said Governor Makinde was pressured by some powerful cartel in his “Guest House” who were nursing the fear that having a Balogun as the Olubadan and another Balogun as a Senator would be too strong for the governor to control.

At the initial stage of preparation for the coronation of the Olubadan, the governor was unyielding but a group within his house impressed upon him the implications of having two Balogun brothers as the Olubadan and as a Senator.

“He initially rejected the suggestion by this group. A very prominent resident of Ibadan was with the governor on a pressing state matter when this same set of people came back to further convince him to stop my second term ticket.

“He also rejected the suggestion for the second time. But subsequent efforts of these people brought in a former Senator from the state and they made him cave in to their demand.

“Governor Makinde reportedly made some claims that I am not performing and that I am not taking care of the party leaders in the nine local government areas in Oyo South Senatorial District.

“As a Christian, can he swear with the Holy Bible and with his life that those were the real and principal reasons he took that decision?

“I challenge him to publicly swear before the PDP stakeholders; before the people of Ibadan, Oyo South Senatorial District and the entire state that he took that decision solely because of the reasons stated in the report. If he can do this, I will come back to openly apologise to him.

“The allegation of non-performance against me is puerile. The record of my performance and achievements is in the public domain and it is hereby attached to this piece,” he said.