Mass Defection Rocks Ondo State as 12,000 APC Members Join PDP
In a major boost for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), no fewer than 12,000 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have defected to the PDP just three months ahead of the governorship election in the state.
The defectors, who were welcomed by the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, in Ondo town on Monday, included 29 aides and associates of a former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
Ajayi, who is seeking to take over the reins of power in the state in the November 16 governorship election, urged leaders and members of the PDP to cooperate and work with the new members to ensure victory for the party.
Speaking at the event, Ajayi implored leaders, particularly those in Ondo West Local Government, to embrace the defectors and work with them for the party’s success.
The PDP candidate also made a personal appeal to the people of Ondo State, assuring them that he is ready to serve them if given the needed support in the election. “I know where the shoe pinches our people,” he said. “I have the experience, I have all the needed requirements to pilot the affairs of Ondo State to a pleasant destination.”
One of the leaders of the defectors, Mr. Adeniran Oyebade, a former APC senatorial aspirant, expressed his willingness to work for the PDP and support Ajayi to be the next governor of the state. Oyebade, who led about 12,000 members from Ondo West Local Government, said they defected from the APC because the ruling party has no plan for the development of the state.
Noting that he spent over nine years in the APC, including paying a huge sum of N20 million for party form among other contributions, Oyebade regretted that no dime or reward was given in return. “As we are now, I and other 12,000 of my supporters, we have begun the rescue journey with the PDP and Agboola Ajayi to salvage Ondo State from the hands of oppressors and corrupt leaders,” he declared.
The sudden influx of defectors has brought a fresh wave of excitement to the PDP camp, with many interpreting it as a major blow to the APC’s chances in the forthcoming election.
