No fewer than 29 chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have officially declared their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in anticipation of the governorship election scheduled for November 16. This announcement was made in a joint statement signed by the defectors on Wednesday, which was titled “We Have Joined the APC.”
Among those who switched allegiance are prominent figures who held various positions during Olusegun Mimiko’s eight-year tenure as governor. Notable defectors include former Speaker of the State House of Assembly Mrs. Jumoke Akindele, a former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mimiko, and three ex-members of the House of Representatives: Joseph Akinlaja, Victor Akinjo, and Chief Alaba Ojomo, among others.
In their statement, the defectors expressed their collective decision, stating, “We, the undersigned citizens of Ondo State, associates of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and political leaders in our own right, after a series of consultations and discussions, have resolved to join the All Progressives Congress. Most of us have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The reasons for their defection were outlined in the statement, emphasizing the desire to support the election of Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa as Governor of Ondo State. They highlighted the importance of being part of a clear initiative aimed at repositioning the state toward continuous prosperity and peace.
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Additionally, the defectors expressed their commitment to contributing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to tackle the pressing challenges facing the nation, aiming to foster much-needed peace, equity, and progress both in the state and across the country.
The statement also acknowledged that individual and local factors influenced their decisions, either personally or collectively. They underscored their belief that the current leadership of the PDP is not adequately positioned to achieve victory in the upcoming elections.
This mass defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Ondo State, as these influential figures align themselves with the APC, potentially altering the dynamics of the forthcoming governorship race.
