Not less than 63 PDP chieftains in Ondo State’s Idanre Local Government Area (LGA) have switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors include prominent figures such as Idowu Akinseye, Chairman of the PDP Elders’ Forum in the area, Marcus Adeoti, former Special Adviser to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Lad Owoseni, former Chairman of Timber Finishers, Brigadier Omogbemi, and others.
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Also present at the rally were Chief Banji Kuroloja, former Personal Secretary to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Korede Duyile, and Prof. John Jejela.
Speaking at the event in Idanre, Prof. John Jejela asserted that the entire PDP structure in the area had been absorbed by the APC. He emphasized that their defection to the ruling party would bolster the APC’s position in next year’s LGA and governorship elections.
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“On behalf of my fellow defectors and followers, we thank you for accepting us into your fold,” Prof. Jejela expressed his gratitude.
“Today, we have collapsed the PDP structure in Idanre Local Government Area in favor of the APC, and we promise to strengthen APC’s position in this local government.”
The Chairman of the APC in Ondo, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, received the defectors and acknowledged their significance as politicians who had contributed to the PDP’s electoral success in the past. He confidently stated that with the inclusion of these influential PDP chieftains, the APC would now emerge victorious in all elections in Idanre and its surroundings.
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“I am pleased today that these strong PDP chieftains have defected to our party, the APC,” Engr. Adetimehin expressed his satisfaction.
“I can tell you with authority that these are the PDP’s formidable forces that have always given us a hard time during elections in Idanre Local Government.”
He further emphasized that the influx of these chieftains, along with their numerous followers from all wards in Idanre Local Government, had resulted in the complete disintegration of the PDP structure in the area.
Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, a former lawmaker, pointed out that the defectors were swayed by the remarkable performance of the state’s administration led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Babatunde expressed optimism that more members from the PDP and other political parties in the state would soon join the APC.
Olumide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Ondo House of Assembly, also commended the PDP defectors for their decision to join the APC rather than remaining on the sidelines. The event marked a significant milestone in the history of Idanre Local Government, with one of the largest defections ever recorded in the area.
The unity displayed by the defectors and their commitment to providing good governance for the people of Ondo State were applauded by the APC leaders, who assured that the party would offer a level playing field to all members, regardless of when they joined.
As the APC gains momentum with this influx of prominent PDP chieftains, it remains to be seen how this development will influence the political landscape of Ondo State in the upcoming elections.
