By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory and longtime member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Jumoke Akinjide, has resigned her membership from the party.
Akinjide announced her resignation in a letter addressed to the Ward 1 Chairman of the PDP in Ona-Ara Local Government Area on Monday, saying, “This decision was not taken lightly, given the fact that I have been a member of the party since 2001.”
The letter, titled “Letter of Resignation from the PDP,” a copy of which was obtained by The Punch in Ibadan, the state capital, stated, “I hereby formally give you notice of my resignation as a member of the PDP, effective immediately. I came to this difficult decision after a long period of personal reflection.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a member of the party and for the experience and relationships built during my time as a member.”
She added, “I appreciate the platform provided for political office and engagement, and I wish the party success in the future.”
When contacted, a close associate of the former minister, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, confirmed the resignation.
Olaosebikan, a former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area and an Oluyole Federal Constituency aspirant, said, “It is true; the former minister has resigned her membership of the PDP.”
Akinjide was appointed Minister of State for the FCT in July 2011, serving in the cabinet of former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015.
She also briefly served as the Supervising Minister for Police Affairs in 2014.
Between May 2001 and September 2003, she served as Special Assistant to the President on FCT Matters and later as Special Assistant to the President on G77 Matters and Nigerians in the Diaspora.