Indications have emerged in Ado-Ekiti that some prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have concluded arrangements to dump their party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was gathered that a former Acting Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Tope Ademiluyi and ex-envoy to the Republic of Congo under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Princess Jolaade Onipede, were part of the move.
Other People’s Democratic Party’s bigwigs, who may dump the Party include, a member of fourth House of Representatives, Hon Adeyemi Orilele, immediate past Executive Secretary, National Health nsurance Scheme, Dr Femi Thomas and former special assistant in the state, Pastor Yemi Olayinka.
The list also include a former governorship aspirant and later governorship candidate of the All Nigeria’s Peoples Party in 2007, Mr Yinka Akerele, Hon. Bisi Aloba, a former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Tunji Adeniyi, among others.
One of the intending defectors, who spoke under anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the group, said every arrangement has been perfected to ensure their smooth integration into APC, for the party to be well fortified to confront the PDP in Ekiti in 2018.
“Don’t forget that most of these heavyweight politiciansserved under Segun Oni’s government , who is now the APC National Deputy Chairman (South) .“Efforts of former governor Oni has begun to yield results.
APC is seriously preparing for 2018 and no stone will be left unturned to ensure that we reclaim this state from Governor Ayodele Fayose.
“We have been permanently abandoned in a party we struggled to build. It was not our interest to abandon the party , even when we knew we were being unduly treated because of our love for the PDP.“
But as things stand now, we have to take our destiniesin our own hands. We cannot continue to be oppressed in a party we invested so heavily to build.
“The likes of our former Chairman, Ropo Adesanya, who produced governor Fayose in 2003 and former governor Oni , had left the party. Senator Gbenga Alukohad left while many are aggrieved and we soon leave.
“Those who defected from the Labour Party are now controlling our party and we have no choice than to leave the house for them. But we will know how far they will go with this development”.
The Publicity Secretary , Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, who confirmed the development, said the defectors won’t betreated as new comers, saying a committee has been set up to ensure that defectors are well integrated into the party.
“I am well aware of the plan by 0ver 40 PDP bigwigs to defect into our party. We are preparing to receive them, because there is no new comer in our constitution. No progressive political party will shut its doors against intending members, it is against the tenets of democracy.“
After this defection, I want to tell you that what becomes of the PDP is a carcass. The party will die a natural death in the state. Our mobilisation drive is yielding results. There is no reason for us to be apprehensive because the people that are coming are refined politicians”, he said.
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