Ahead of next governorship election in Ondo, no fewer than 2000 members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the State, on Wednesday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
The PDP defectors who include, former House of Representatives candidate, Dare Aliu, Senatorial candidate, Dr Felder Olatunji, Hon Prince Olu Falolu, Hon Ayodele Ikumawoyi, Pastor Olatunde Felix, Chief Pius Akinrinmola, Hon Isaac Olaleye, Alhaji Adebayo Oyewumi, Hon Yele Akinya, Chief Akinmoye Ajewole and General Adegborioye Sunday.
Others include, Chief Tayo Ayekomilogbon, Mrs. Toyin Akindele, Com. Akinmade Babatunde, Mrs Taju Mopinola, Hon Tony Ala, Deputy leader PDP Leader’s Forum, Hon Dele Faboro, Comrade Ajisafe Omobumi, Mr Olusegun Samuel, Mr Adeyeye Micheal, Hon Adermola Elegbe, Alh Jimoh Ibrahim, Hon Adeolu Adeniran, Comrade Femi and Hon Rotimi A. Akindejoye amongst others.
The Chairman of the APC in the state, Hon. Ade Adetimehin, who received the defectors into the party, said the party would continue to rule the state and the country, saying APC would win the next governorship election.
According to him, every prominent politician has joined the train of the APC in the state saying prominent politicians from the state have dumped the party and joined progressive train.
Adetimehin however, assured the defectors that they would be treated equally in the party.
According to him, “We just received the remaining pillars in Ondo PDP. The PDP is now a carcass in Ondo State. In Ondo APC, the party and the government are one.
“We work together in one accord. Having come to APC, there is no founder no joiner. We will treat you equally in our wards and local government. Come and display your capacity in the APC.”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, a former PDP lawmaker, Tomide Akinribido, said they decided to leave PDP to join hands with the APC leaders to ensure total victory for the APC in the November governorship polls.
“We will work to ensure victory. It is landslide victory in Ondo West. I will promote cohesion within the party.
We will work and cooperate with our leaders. We will work according to the dictates of the party.”
Also speaking, a former chieftain of PDP, Chief Tony Ala said the APC would win the polls with over 700,000 votes, saying, “Akure is APC, APC is Akure. You will see change in Akure South. APC has blessed us in Akure.”
Dare Aliu, a former House of Representatives, said he joined the APC despite the economic hardship because he knew prosperity would soon come to the country and called on others to join the progressive train to ensure the development of Ondo.