The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State suffered a major setback on Wednesdayas supporters of former governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko left the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the state’s gubernatorial election.
The former member of the House of Representatives and former Labour leader, Hon. Akinlaja Joseph, who led the new members to the APC, said they decided to join the APC train to contribute to the development of the state and secure the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the forthcoming election.
The new members include the former Speaker of the State, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, Hon. Lad Alaba Ojomo, Hon. Victor Akinjo, and Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju, among others.
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Akinlaja said the erstwhile loyalists of Mimiko moved around the state to enlist friends, colleagues, and followers to solidify their commitment to the cause of the APC, the people of Ondo State, and Nigeria.
Akinlaja said “We have said it before but it needs to be restated that we are joining the APC mostly from the PDP to contribute our own quota to the seamless victory of His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the APC in the forthcoming election.
“Also, we are in APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to contribute to the solution of the myriads of challenges facing our dear country rather than remain in an unserious structure that is neither desirous of, nor prepared for, victory.”
He said the new entrants include PDP leaders across the state, labour activists, market traders, members of NATA, artisans in Politics and youth activists who have been loyal to former governor Mimiko.
“We can go on and on as we have a comprehensive list of over 5000 leaders at various levels, including chairmen of LGAs, Ward Chairmen and community leaders from PDP moving today into the APC”, he continued.
“We are not stopping, we are also asking our colleagues to immediately move into their wards and units to join existing APC structure for the seamless victory of the APC and its candidate Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
He assured the people of the state that the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration is steadily strengthening and repositioning the state economy for sustainable stability and visible growth.
The two term federal Lawmaker, commended Aiyedatiwa for his commitment towards the infrastructural development of the state within the few months he assumed office as the state governor.
Receiving the new entrants into the party, governor Aiyedatiwa said the movement of associates and allies of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko into the APC signifies that PDP is dead in the state
Aiyedatiwa said the movement has finally sealed the unification of all the credible political tendencies in the state, as all major political players in the state have pitched their tent with APC.
He noted that all the major players of the Adefarati and Agagu era including all key players of Mimiko administration have moved to the ruling party as part of effort to move the state forward on all fronts.
The State chairman of APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin said the development asserts that PDP is dead in the state and stands no chance in the November 16 gubernatorial race in the state.
Adetimehin said “From the north to central and south, the best materials have left PDP, even within other smaller parties, the best political actors with name, and character have joined the APC.
“The other person that is left in the opposition is Dr Rahman Mimiko. All the grassroots supporters of Mimiko are with us and if PDP said they are not affected, it is falsehood, they cannot manage their party”
He assured that the new entrants that “We will not use and dump you. We will make sure you are taken care of. No winner, no joiner. We are one family. We have fused and we will not discriminate”
TheWitness
