Ondo Guber: Aiyedatiwa welcomes more of Mimiko’s associates, PDP leaders to APC
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo state, over 5000 associates of the former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, Wednesday defected to the All Progressive Congress to ensure the victory of governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the election.
The defectors were led by a two term member of House of Representative and former Labour leader, Hon Akinlaja Joseph, former House of Representatives member, Hon Lad Alaba Ojomo, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele, a two term House of Representatives member, Hon Victor Akinjo and a former House of Representatives member Hon Gboluga Ikengboju, former commissioners among others.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the state chairman of the party, Engineer Ade Adetimehin received the defectors to the party at an elaborate ceremony held at the state party Secretariat in Akure, the state capital.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon Akinlaja, said that said they have since moved round the state to enlist their friends, colleagues and followers to solidify their commitment to the cause of the APC, Ondo State people and Nigeria.
Akinlaja said “We have said it before but it needs to be restated that we are joining the APC mostly from the PDP to contribute our own quota to the seamless victory of His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the APC in the forthcoming election.
“Also, we are in APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to contribute to the solution of the myriads of challenges facing our dear country rather than remain in an unserious structure that is neither desirous of, nor prepared for, victory.”
He said that the event is not for long speeches Akinlaja reeled out a few names from the throng that just moved in the APC from across the State, organised groups and interests.
According to him “All that is left for me is to introduce some the former PDP leaders from across the state, labour activists, market traders, members of NATA, Artisans in Politics and youth activists who are with us on this historic journey.
“From Akure North, we have Hon Ebenezer Alabi, former Chairman of PDP, Hon Femi Ofakunrin, Dr Gbenga Ojo, Prince Ademeso Adekunle, Hon Akin Fagoroye (Big Joe) and many others.
“From Ilaje LGA, we have Hon Victor Kolade Akinjo, Hon Victor Adesoji Ayenuro, Prince Olumide Olugbebi and many others.
“Leading the group from Akoko South East is Barrister Tunde Atere, who is being joined by the Chairman of PDP in Akoko South East, Hon among others.
“From Ifedore, we have Engr Gboye Adegbenro leading the team.
“Akure South has Architect Jide Adejuyigbe, Ms Taiye Afilaka, Yeyeoge Funlola Oluwadare (Alhaja Way) Engr Tope Adetuberu and many others.
“From Owo we have Hon Alaba Lad Ojomo, Hon Gbenga Clement Aro, Dr Duromola M.K, Comrade Femi Bosede, Engr Alex Akinyemi among others.
“From Okitipupa we have Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele, Hon Gboluga Ikengboju, Dr Dapo Iwala, Omoba Eni Akinsola and others.
“From Irele, we have Hon Idowu Ogunmade, Barr Olumide Ogunje and many others.
“We can go on and on, in all, we have a comprehensive list of over 5000 leaders at various levels, including chairmen of LGAs, Ward Chairmen and community leaders all of the PDP moving today into the APC.
Akinlaja added that ” “We are not stopping, we are also asking our colleagues to immediately move into their wards and units to join existing APC structure for the seamless victory of the APC and its candidate His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”
Receiving the defectors, governor Aiyedatiwa, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the movement of associates and allies of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko into the APC finally seals the unification of all the credible political tendencies in Ondo State.
Ayedatiwa noted that “the APC now has all the major players of the Adefarati era, all the major players of the Agagu era and now all the key players of the Mimiko era in one party all in the bid to move Ondo State forward on all fronts.
The state’s party chairman, Engineer Ade Adetimehin, said that the ruling in the state has harvested ” the best materials left in the opposition People’s Democratic Party in the state.
Adetimehin said that “From the north to central and south, the best materials have left the PDP.
He added that ” in the smaller parties, the best political actors with name, and character have joined the APC.
The chairman promised the defectors that they would not be used and dumped adding that ” We will make sure you are taken care of. No winner, no joiner. We are one family. We have fused. We will not discriminate.
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