The Zonal Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe, said the leadership of the party will not lose sleep over the defection and exit of some chieftains or prominent members of the party.
Ajisafe stated this in Akure, during the inauguration of the newly constituted caretaker committee of the party in the state, saying those who exited the party were working against the interests of the party and creating a crisis in the party.
He maintained that the party will not be bothered by the development, saying those who defected to another party ahead of the governorship election in the state are “inconsequential.”
He noted that a similar scenario happened in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, but said the PDP still won the election and said, “Don’t be discouraged by the news of some big names or some people leaving your party for another.
“When we started in Osun State, a lot of big men deserted us. The big names that are bigger than the ones you’re hearing in your state. But today, the story has changed.”
“Those that are leaving now have left a long time ago. So, now that they know that we can no longer absolve them of their shenanigans, they are now leaving. We have the majority of their followers with us. Their leaving is very inconsequential.”
Ajisafe, however, expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s ability not to intervene in the election or do anything that would truncate the present democratic system in the country.
He noted that the people of the state will not allow manipulation of election results and said, “With everyone’s cooperation, we are winning all the way. Ondo will fall into the hands of the PDP. Don’t be discouraged by the news that some people are not with us or are leaving us.
“Once God is with us, Ondo will fall into the hands of the PDP. We are all on the same page, and all hands are on deck to make sure that we take over the governance of the state.
“Not even now that we know the level of poverty in the country. I wouldn’t want to believe that anybody would want to vote for APC this time.
“I trust President Bola Tinubu that he will not do anything to truncate this democracy. What I am saying is that direct falsification of results will not come up. You know the history of Ondo State when it comes to the manipulation of election results. The people will not take it.”.
The candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship election, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, expressed optimism that the PDP will win the election, saying the people of the state cannot wait to vote for a PDP government.
Ajayi said he is battle-ready for the task ahead, assuring the leadership of the party in the zone that the PDP will form the next government in the state.
He said, “When some people are leaving the party, more and more are still coming. You will agree with me that since 1999, this will be the first time people will be leaving a ruling party for the opposition PDP every day. Currently, there is no APC in Ese-Odo local government again.
“The same thing is also going on in Akoko. So, if anybody is leaving PDP, maybe they are just trying to exercise their rights. No man is God.
“We will not forget that they have served this state at a time and take good care of them when we assume office and tell them that this is our state.
The newly inaugurated caretaker members are: Rt. Hon. Bakkita Olufowobi Bello, Hon. Tola Alabere, Hon. Dayo Awude, Hon. Bobby Omotosho, Fadope Amos Oniosayo, Olawumi Owolabi Fasonu, Barr. Moses Awofade, Boluwaji Bamidele, and Hon. Kennedy Peretei.
Others include Adebayo Abiodun Ibrahim, Engr. Dare Akinwale, Hon. Mrs. Kemisola Adesanya, Hon. Babatunde Daudu, Mrs Stella Titilayo Ojo, Mrs Folasade Ogunmakinwa, Mr Lawrence Awogun, Mrs Omotolani Hassan, Oluseye Judes Olujimi, and Mrs. Caroline Akinsete.
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