Hon. Waliu Ifedolapo Owode Appointed Deputy Minority Whip of Ogun State House of Assembly

Abeokuta, Ogun State – October 2025

The Ogun State House of Assembly has announced a leadership reshuffle within its minority caucus, with Hon. Waliu Ifedolapo Owode (Oloogun-Ebi), representing Ijebu East State Constituency, appointed as the new Deputy Minority Whip.

This appointment follows the removal of Hon. Lukmon Atobatele, who lost his position as Deputy Minority Leader after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was officially announced on the floor of the House during the consideration and passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, confirmed the changes, stating that the decision was made to reflect the current political alignment within the Assembly.

Under the new arrangement, Hon. Dickson Awolaja assumes the position of Deputy Minority Leader, while Hon. Waliu Owode takes over as Deputy Minority Whip, a role that underscores his growing influence within the PDP caucus.

Hon. Owode, who currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, has been widely recognized for his commitment to grassroots development and legislative productivity. His elevation within the minority leadership structure is seen as a vote of confidence in his leadership capacity, discipline, and loyalty to the party’s ideals.

Political observers have described the reshuffling as a strategic move by the PDP caucus to consolidate its ranks and strengthen internal unity following Atobatele’s defection.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Hon. Lukman Olalekan Adeleye lauded the Speaker’s handling of the transition, commending Rt. Hon. Elemide for his fairness and commitment to legislative decorum.

Analysts say the development reflects a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where party defections continue to reshape legislative leadership structures. However, the PDP caucus in the Ogun Assembly has reiterated its resolve to remain cohesive and focused on its legislative duties despite recent political realignments.

With his new appointment, Hon. Waliu Ifedolapo Owode is expected to play a key role in coordinating the activities of the minority caucus, ensuring effective representation, and promoting legislative harmony within the House.