No fewer than 29 political foot soldiers and associates of former governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday to pitch their tent with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state.
The defectors include those who served with Mimiko, which include, former Chairman of PDP, Hon Ebenezer Alabi, former commissioners; Jide Adejuyigbe, Gboye Adegbenro, Tunde Atere, Ajani Oladipupo and Chief Yele Ogundipe
Others include, former members of House of Representatives, Joseph Akinlaja, Alaba-Lad Ojomo, Kolade Akinjo, Gboluga Ikengboju and a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, Eni Akinsola, Funmilola Oluwadare, Solomon Adelegan, and Femi Bosede, Chief Yele Ogundipe, Dayo Akinte, Dr Dapo Iwala and Femi Ofakunrin among others.
The defectors in a statement after visiting the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated that they resolved to join the ruling party to help galvanise support for the governor ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
The statement read “We the undersigned citizens of Ondo State, associates of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and political leaders in our own rights, after series of consultations and discussions resolved to join and have joined the All Progressives Congress APC, most of us having resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“Our reasons for joining the APC could be summarised as the need to be part of the processes that will lead to the election of Hon Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa as Governor of Ondo State; the need to be part of an obvious effort to reposition our state on the path of continuous prosperity and peace; and the need to contribute to the efforts of the President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to frontally tackle the challenges facing our nation and bring needed peace, equity and progress to the states and the country at large.
“We state that there are local and personal realities that also underlie our decision either as individuals or as a group. The fact that the PDP as currently run is not being positioned for victory either at the State level or at the national level makes our decision most auspicious at this moment.
“We agree that our nation is facing some challenges that are as a result of cumulative errors of the past as well as direct unavoidable consequences of efforts to correct them by the current president.
“We however are firm in our believe that a committed dedication to the path of reforms as being pursued by the President will definitely take our country out of the woods. Hence our decision to be part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
“We have in the past few days been mobilising our colleagues, friends and associates to join the APC across the state and be part of the progress and development that our state and nation is headed for.
“We do not boast of any magic wand but are ready to commit time and energy to the growth and progress of the party we have chosen to join, a party that has consistently proved to be more open to new members and new ideas.
“We are committed to work within our new party for the collective good of all. We need to state that many more of our colleagues and associates will be joining in the days and weeks ahead for the same reasons identified above.”
