A governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Oloye Saheed Oladele, has resigned his membership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with immediate effect.
The resignation came as Oladele was already challenging in court the authenticity of the candidate submitted by the party and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Oladele announced his resignation in a letter dated Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and addressed to the SDP State Chairman in Oyo State.
In the letter, titled “Resignation of Membership,” Oladele expressed appreciation for his time in the party, saying he was grateful for the opportunity to participate in its affairs and for the relationships and experiences he gained during his membership.
He wrote: “I write to formally tender my resignation from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with immediate effect.”
Oladele, however, did not state any specific reason for his resignation in the letter.
He said he remained committed to the development of Oyo State, good governance and a better Nigeria, while wishing the SDP and its members well.
Oladele joined the SDP in April 2026 after resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he had participated in the party’s governorship contest.
His latest resignation comes against the backdrop of changes to the SDP’s governorship ticket in Oyo State. Recent reports indicated that the party replaced its earlier candidate, Michael Okunlade, with Mogaji Olusegun Agboola.
Meanwhile, there is a pending legal dispute involving Oladele and the SDP over the party’s governorship nomination process. The case is reportedly scheduled for hearing before a Federal High Court on September 24, 2026.
The immediate political implications of Oladele’s resignation remain unclear, as his resignation letter does not indicate his next political platform or whether he intends to continue pursuing his 2027 governorship ambition under another party.
