The former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, has exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr. Bello, who served in the assembly from 2003 to 2011, confirmed this in a letter of resignation of membership sent to the Osun PDP chairman and other local party leaders.

In the letter obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr Bello said his reason for leaving the PDP is because the party has been allegedly hijacked.

“It is my sincere belief that some elements have hijacked the rudders of the ship of the party and changed its cause to an unknown path which I am not ready to take,” Mr Bello stated in the letter without mentioning those who hijacked the party.

“Going forward, the recent events especially in the Osun state chapter of the party which to my mind are inimical, contrary and total shift from the intendment of the founding fathers of the party which was built on justice, fairness and service had caused me to reconsider my membership of the party from which I hereby resign.”

Mr Bello was the PDP deputy governorship candidate to Iyiola Omisore in the 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun.

The election was lost to incumbent governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Omisore is now contesting the governorship seat on the platform of another party, SDP.

In his letter, Mr Bello did not state the party he was moving to, although there have been rumours he was in talks with the governing APC in the state.

Mr Bello did not answer calls not reply text messages sent to him Thursday afternoon.