Exactly two months to the governorship election in Ondo State, hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission would be conducting the governorship election on November 16, while all 16 political parties that would be participating in the forthcoming election had begun campaigning.
Receiving the defectors at Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state on Monday, the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, assured them of all necessary recognition and support in the APC.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, the governor expressed optimism that the new members would add greater value to the party in the state.
Aiyedatiwa enjoined the people to troop out en masse on November 16 to vote for the APC, noting that the election would be an affirmation of his numerous works across all sectors in the state.
He said, “For this crowd of people to come to the APC without any form of inducement or coercion, it shows only one thing that you ( the leader of the defectors, Dr Akinsola Jimoh) are a great leader and a grassroots politician and we are proud of you.
“We have come here today and appreciate you for joining the winning team. You are talents that can’t afford to be in the opposition.”
In his remarks, the leader of the defectors, Jimoh explained that they decided to join the ruling party after due consultation with his associates in and outside the country, adding that he was determined to join the ruling party to join hands with the administration of Aiyedatiwa to the develop the state.
“I decided to join the APC because I was impressed with the leadership qualities of Governor Aiyedatiwa since he took over the governance of the state”, Jimoh stated.
A former House of Assembly candidate of the PDP vowed to galvanise all resources towards achieving a resounding victory for the APC in the forthcoming governorship poll.
Speaking at the event, the APC chairman in Okitipupa LGA, Mr Igbekele Akinriwa, boasted that the chances of the ruling APC in the council area would further be solidified with the joining of the hundreds of the former PDP chieftains led by Jimoh.
He encouraged the new and old members of the party to make themselves relevant by regularly attending party ward meetings and mobilising to achieve success for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election.
Punch