The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have exchanged words over the defection of loyalists of former governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to the APC.
The PDP described the defectors as “paperweights” whose political influence is no longer of value to the party, asserting that their departure will not affect the chances of the PDP’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in the upcoming governorship election.
In a statement, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, suggested that the use of Mimiko’s name by the defectors to join the APC indicates their political irrelevance in the state and their desperation for significance.
Peretei said, “As much as possible, I will resist the temptation to mention names out of courtesy, and because Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has not publicly declared himself as a member of the APC.
Unfortunately, those defecting used his name as cover, which has attracted scathing attacks and uncomplimentary remarks about Mimiko, at least on social media.
“I wonder why they did not use their own names, since they claim to be big names, instead of dragging the former governor into this controversy.
“Interestingly, some APC members have accused Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of ‘procuring political prostitutes,’ while many of them remain hungry and angry, claiming that the APC does not need the defectors to win. Others have said the APC has ‘contracted Ebola’ and will not survive, suggesting that seeds of hostility within the APC are already germinating.”
Peretei emphasized that the political class represents a negligible fraction of the voting public and that the electorate, who have been neglected for years, are now wiser.
“In a state like Ondo with very enlightened citizens, politicians can defect to whichever party they choose. When the election comes, the people will have to choose between their oppressors and those who seek to bring liberation.
“Importantly, while some of these defectors have never contested any elections, others are serial election losers. So, how can they help Aiyedatiwa win in November? This is the flip side of the celebration over the defections.”
Peretei added that the PDP would not have dignified the defections of Mimiko’s associates if not for the noise that the opposition party had been hit with a political tsunami and is now dead in the state.
He added, “Anyone who has diligently followed Ondo State politics since 2007 will recognize that there is nothing substantial about the celebrated defections.
“To begin with, it is important to consider the historical perspective of this unfolding drama before I dissect the dynamics of the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election, which is the underlying reason for the defection. In the 2011 general elections, the ACN had no presence in the 26-member Ondo State House of Assembly. The PDP had only one member, while the LP had 25 members.
“However, in 2014, Mimiko decided to join the PDP along with all his commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, two senators, eight House of Representatives members, 25 Ondo State House of Assembly members, and all his political appointees.
“The entire government apparatus was merged into the PDP. Former President Goodluck Jonathan believed that with the LP joining the PDP in the state, the APC stood no chance in the 2015 general election, particularly in the presidential race, which was his main interest.
“But here are the results of the 2015 presidential election: the PDP polled 251,368 votes (44.80%) while the APC polled 299,889 votes (53.45%). Things did not get better for the PDP in the 2016 governorship election.
“The PDP won in only two of the eighteen local governments, leading to a minority party inheriting the reins of power by default. I do not intend to delve into the intrigues of how the PDP lost that election; that is a story for another day.”
He continued, “Fast forward to 2019. By this time, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko had exited the PDP. His new party was the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
“In the 2019 general election, the PDP roared back to prominence, despite an APC governor in Alagbaka Government House and an APC president, Muhammadu Buhari, seeking a second term.
“The APC polled 241,769 votes while the PDP’s Abubakar Atiku polled 275,901 votes. It’s worth mentioning that the PDP won two of the three senatorial seats and three House of Representatives seats, losing the fourth by less than 200 votes.”
Peretei concluded by saying, “I decided to go to this length to underscore the fact that the 29 or so defectors, in terms of number, influence, and name, are nothing compared to the wave of Mimiko’s supporters that populated the PDP in 2014—a party that controlled both the state and federal governments at the time.
Therefore, those celebrating the defections should not do so just yet. I read the press statement attributed to the defectors and honestly could not make any sense of it.
“Can any resident of Ondo State in good conscience point to one positive thing the APC government has done in nearly eight years to make life more meaningful for the people? Students in the state’s tertiary institutions are dropping out because their parents can no longer afford the fees.
Insecurity has reached such an intolerable level that women protested half-naked in Aku-Akoko last week.
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“Hundreds of people, loved by their families, have died because their relatives could not afford medical bills. Are these the trademarks of the APC government that attracted the defectors?”
In response, the APC’s Publicity Director, Steve Otaloro, described the PDP’s claims as baseless, stating, “The defection of Mimiko’s loyalists to the APC is a testament to the attractiveness of our party’s vision and the governor’s leadership.”
Otaloro added, “Contrary to the PDP’s claims, these defectors are not ‘transactional’ or ‘flimsy.’ They are individuals who recognize the progress made under Aiyedatiwa’s administration and want to be part of a team making a positive impact in Ondo State.
The governor’s election plan is not about personal gain but about continuing the good work he has started.
“The defectors’ desire to contribute to the state’s progress and support President Tinubu’s national efforts is genuine and commendable.”
He also addressed the PDP’s criticism of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s financial management, stating, “The PDP’s criticism is unfounded.
The state’s internally generated revenue has increased, and the governor has prioritized spending on critical areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
“The claims about abandoned road projects are false. Work is progressing on all ongoing projects in the state, except where the PDP is either ignorant or playing politics of bitterness, refusing to acknowledge it.”
TheWitness
