Over 5,000 associates of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko and other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
The defectors, led by Hon. Akinlaja Joseph, a two-term member of the House of Representatives and former Labour leader, pledged their support to ensure Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the election.
Hon. Akinlaja stated, “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.”
He also emphasized their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and their desire to contribute to solving Nigeria’s challenges.
Akinlaja introduced several former PDP leaders from across the state, including Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, Hon. Femi Ofakunrin, and Dr. Gbenga Ojo from Akure North, and Hon. Victor Kolade Akinjo and Prince Olumide Olugbebi from Ilaje LGA.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa welcomed the defectors, saying their movement into the APC seals the unification of credible political tendencies in Ondo State.
He said, “The APC now has all the major players of the Adefarati era, all the major players of the Agagu era, and now all the key players of the Mimiko era in one party, all in the bid to move Ondo State forward on all fronts.”
The state’s party chairman, Engineer Ade Adetimehin, noted that the ruling party has harvested the best materials left in the opposition PDP.
“From the north to central and south, the best materials have left the PDP,” he said, promising the defectors that they would be taken care of and not discriminated against.
He added, “We will make sure you are taken care of. No winner, no joiner. We are one family. We have fused. We will not discriminate.”
