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63 chieftains of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday.
The defectors included the Chairman, PDP Elders’ Forum in the locality, Idowu Akinseye, former Special Adviser to former governor Olusegun Mimiko, Marcus Adeoti, Lad Owoseni, former chairman Timber Finishers, Brigadier Omogbemi,
Chief Banji Kuroloja, former Personal Secretary to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Korede Duyile and Prof. John Jejela, amongst others.
Jejela who spoke at a rally in Idanre, said the entire structure of the PDP in the locality had been collapsed into the APC.
Jejela said their defection to the ruling party would boost the strength of the APC in next year’s LGA and governorship election.
He said: “On behalf of my fellow defectors and our followers, we thank you for accepting us to your fold.
“Today, we collapsed the structure of PDP in Idanre Local Government Area for APC and we promise to boost the strength of APC in this local government.”
Ondo Chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who received the defectors, said they were politicians who always ensured victory for the PDP during elections.
Adetimehin said the APC would henceforth win in all elections in Idanre and its environs.
He said, “I am happy today that these strong chieftains of PDP decamped to our party, APC.
“I can authoritatively tell you that these are the strong machineries of the PDP who always gave us a tough time during elections in Idanre Local Government.
“Although we haven’t lost the governorship election here – we won the last two governorship elections-we are now doubly sure that we shall henceforth be having a field day whenever election holds in this local government.
“The chieftains came in large numbers with their numerous followers from all the wards in Idanre Local Government.
“They have collapsed the structure of PDP for our party, APC, in Idanre Local Government. This is one of the largest harvests we’ve ever had in a swoop in this local government.
“We are providing a level playing field for everyone in APC irrespective of when you join us. We have become one family with one goal of providing good government for our people.”
A former lawmaker, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde said the defectors were convinced by the performance of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration in the state.
Babatunde expressed optimism that more members of the PDP and other political parties in the state would soon dissolve into APC.
Speaker of the Ondo House of Assembly, Olumide Oladiji congratulated the PDP defectors for joining the APC rather than watching from the sidelines.
Peoplesmind
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