In a significant political development, 63 high-ranking members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State have crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The mass defection took place on Friday.
Among the defectors were notable figures including Idowu Akinseye, the Chairman of the PDP Elders’ Forum in the locality, Marcus Adeoti, former Special Adviser to former governor Olusegun Mimiko, Lad Owoseni, former chairman of Timber Finishers, Brigadier Omogbemi, Chief Banji Kuroloja, former Personal Secretary to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Korede Duyile, and Prof. John Jejela, among others.
Speaking at a rally in Idanre, Professor John Jejela made it clear that not only had the entire PDP structure in the locality been merged into APC, but also that their defection would greatly enhance the strength of the ruling party in the forthcoming local government and governorship elections.
Jejela stated, “On behalf of my fellow defectors and our followers, we express our gratitude for accepting us into your fold.
Today, we have dissolved the PDP structure in Idanre Local Government Area and pledged to bolster the dominance of the APC in this locality.”
The Chairman of APC in Ondo, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, formally received the defectors, acknowledging that they were once formidable politicians who consistently secured victories for the PDP in previous elections.
Adetimehin confidently proclaimed that henceforth, the APC would triumph in every election held in Idanre and its surrounding areas.
He stated, “I am delighted today to welcome these influential PDP chieftains to our party, the APC.
I can confidently assure you that these individuals were the powerful forces of the PDP who always gave us a formidable challenge during elections in Idanre Local Government.
Although we have never lost the governorship election here – having won the last two – we are now doubly certain that we will easily prevail whenever an election is held in this local government.
The chieftains, accompanied by scores of followers from all wards, have merged the PDP structure with our party, the APC, in Idanre Local Government.
This is one of the most significant harvests we have ever witnessed in this locality. We provide an even playing field for all in the APC, regardless of their time of joining.
We have become one family with a singular goal of delivering good governance to our people.”
Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, a former lawmaker, expressed his conviction that the defectors were won over by the remarkable performance of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration in the state.
He optimistically anticipated that more members from the PDP and other political parties in the state would soon find their way into the APC.
Congratulating the PDP defectors on their decision to join the APC, Olumide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Ondo House of Assembly, emphasized that they had actively participated rather than remained passive observers on the political sidelines.