Ondo PDP Receives 1,000 APC Defectors, Vows to Unseat Aiyedatiwa

As the governorship election in Ondo State draws near, about 1,000 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defectors, from the 208 wards and the 18 local government areas of the state, said they were ready to work for the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Agboola Ajayi, to win the November 16 governorship election.

The governorship election campaigns in Ondo State as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began on June 19.

The defectors were received by Ajayi and the state leadership of the PDP at a rally held at the Akure town hall on yesterday.

While welcoming the defectors, Ajayi said there had been suffering, hunger and anger in the land following the alleged maladministration of the APC-led government in the state.

The former deputy governor said if voted into power in November, he would reposition the state for the better and be a better alternative.

He urged the new members to join hands to collaborate with other members to work for the victory of the party.

He stated, “We are working very hard to regain the state and we need to be strategic about it to emerge victorious in the November 2024 election because the people of the state are looking up to us.

“As new members, I assure you of all rights, same with members of our party. We will ensure that you benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments."

In his remarks, the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Tola Alabere, said the umbrella of the PDP was wide enough to accommodate more members, assuring the defectors of equal treatment and fairness.

“I am confident that his election will mark a rapid growth in the state and you are welcome to join this moving train as partners to reposition the state towards development,” Alabere said.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the former APC Organising Secretary in Akure South Local Government, Akinwande Fayinminu, said they decided to dump the ruling party following alleged lack of internal democracy.

“The APC lacks internal democracy, the reason the party is factionalised. Since it came into power, leaders have not integrated many members. They are operating the party like an occult. We can’t stay in such a party any longer,” Fayinminu stated.

Spokesman for Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers, Mr Kayode Fasua, described the defectors as political jobbers who underwent dress rehearsals to please their paymasters.

He said, "Those who reportedly said hunger chased them from APC to PDP are mere political jobbers, who underwent dress rehearsals to please their paymasters.

“They will soon be seen lobbying to play the same role, using the other side of the coin, when another political party comes to town for campaigns.”