Ahead of the Governorship election in Ondo state, Members of All Progressives Congress(APC) on Wednesday defected from the party to Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Akure, Ondo State capital, saying that they were driven away from the party by hunger.
The former APC members are from different wards in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.
Defecting in their hundreds to PDP publicly at Akure Town Hall premises, the defectors complained that they were not treated well by the leadership of APC.
They said they were neglected despite their contributions to the victory of APC in the general elections and in the second term election of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu inherited by the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Taking turn in addressing the people, the leaders of the groups lamented that they voted for APC because of the hunger in the land.
One of the groups was led by Mayowa Ajemoju Boboye, declaring support for Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the governorship candidate of PDP for the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election.
Among the leadership and members of APC who defected are APC Ward 8 leader, Deborah Owosusi, Ademola Ayonijebu, Mayowa Ajemoju Boboye, Oloro Alejo.
Some members of Ebira community, led by Azeez Ibrahim, also declared their support for the PDP standard bearer ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll in the state.
While speaking on behalf of the defectors, APC Organising Secretary in Akure South, Akinwande Fayinminu blamed the leadership of APC for the existing deceit within the party, which he said undermined the development of members.
He also blamed lack of internal democracy in APC which he described as bei g dangerous to the development of the people and the state.
According to Fayinminu, “The APC lacks internal democracy, that is why they are factionalised. Since they came to power, they have not integrated many members of the party.
“They are operating the party like an occultic group. We can’t stay in such a party any longer.”
Speaking with newsmen at the venue of the event, of the leaders of the the groups that defected to PDP, Boboye, an APC chieftain in Akure South, emphasised that APC had brought more hunger and hardship to people of the state.
He said: “There is more hunger in the land and they have failed to attend to this. The popularity of the party in the state is waning gradually and we have to look back and return back home to join force with PDP to rebuild the state.”
Receiving the defectors to PDP, the party’s governor candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, who was flanked by the Acting Chairman of PDP, Bashorun Tola Alabere and other chieftains of the party, stated that there is a lot of suffering, hunger and anger in the land due to maladministration of APC- led government in Ondo State.
He, therefore, assured the people of the state of repositioning the state if voted in by the people in the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial poll.
Ajayi charged the new members of PDP to work with the party and other members in their various wards, units and local government to enlighten the people on why they should voted for PDP in the forthcoming gubernatorial poll
Addressing the people, Ajayi said: “We are working very hard to regain the state and we need to be strategic about it in order 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 accrued to the rest of our members. We will ensure that you benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments.”
The state Chairman of PDP, Bashorun Tola Alabere welcome the new members, assuring them of equal treatment as members.
He assured the people that PDP and irs standard bearer would work towards accelerated development in the state if elected in the November.
The PDP Chairman explained that “I am confident that his(Agboola Ajayi) election will mark a rapid growth in the fortunes of the state and you are welcome to join this moving train as partners to reposition the state towards development.”
