Forty-six prominent members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) writes in Ondo defect to All Progressives Congress (APC), in what is seen as a major re-alignment in the state’s politics. Senior Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, from Akure.
Choice is an important feature in democracy. Often, this is made possible through political parties which present their manifestoes and various candidates. In the midst of these, however, there are changing characters of political parties which impact their standing, legitimacy, effectiveness and assessment in the court of public opinion.
This is the case of Nigeria’s leading political parties which currently seem to be in crisis of sorts, due largely to antics of their leadership that border more on self-interest instead of the quest for a more impactful leadership that will sufficiently channel the resources available into relevant development.
It is in this respect that happenings in the Ondo State chapter of Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) become instructive, especially as signs of imminent collapse of the party in the state is visible. The party in the state is currently under stress, with many prominent members leaving or contemplating doing so.
In apparent bid to halt the drift, some prominent chieftains of the party, both at the national and state level are said to be making frantic efforts to reconcile the warring factions, to ensure that it does not get out of hand. The reconciliation move is headed by the Deputy Governor, Alli Olanusi. But before the committee could commence work, some prominent members of the party seen as loyalists of the late Governor Olusegun Agagu had defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, which took place penultimate week, involved about 46 chieftains and their supporters. They explained their movement on the need to bring change in Ondo and the country.
The defectors, who were mostly former political office holders, old PDP members and former Labour Party (LP) chieftains include: Chief of Staff to the late Agagu, Femi Agagu; House of Representatives member for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Eniolorunda Omosule; Victor Olabimtan, Taofeek Abdulsalam, Niran Sule, Akinyemi Akinnigbagbe and Tola Wewe.
Others include Bukola Tenabe, Boye Adegbemisoye, Olaitan Ayeni, Mrs. Tola Owoh, Ife Iji, Felix Okereji, Akinyugha Jones, Kunle Odidi, Abiodun Jerome, Pelemo Samuel, E.O Obagbemi, Ade Obe, Banji Ajaka, Tolu Babaleye, Akin Aibinuomo, Funso Esan, Kole Oluwajana and Feyi Bali.
Among them also are Deolu Ijose, Otunba Itiola, Deji Aiyejoto, Tolu Fadahunsi, Tony Jayeola, Tola Akinseye, Yinka Orokoto, Jide Ipinsagba, Kunle Adebayo, Razaq Obe, Rasak Isijola, Falana Tajudeen, Segun Adagunodo, Wale Ogunmola, Wale Adegbakinro, Tunde Taiwo and former House of Assembly speakers.
Agagu, the leader of the defectors, at a press conference held at the APC Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, hinged their defection on the fact that Nigeria needs change, and Ondo new direction.
The former Chief of Staff, described those in the action with him as formidable stakeholders in the state politics, including people who have served in various capacities.
Among these, he said, were former state party chairman, working committee members, members of National Assembly, House of Assembly members, commissioners and special advisers, permanent secretaries and senior civil servants, chairmen of boards, parastatals and local government councils, special assistants, councillors and established grassroots political leaders. He decried the level of tyranny and bad leadership in the state.
He added that they had resolved to embrace change, which the APC represents, and drum support for the victory of Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as well as all the candidates of the party.
He said, “We took this decision after lengthy sessions of consultation with friends, political associates as well as supporters in all the 203 wards of the state. We have also received the confidence of distinguished elder statesmen, non-political young and elderly citizens who are concerned about the future of our dear state and country.
“Today is indeed a watershed in the political history of Ondo State. Never before have so many notable people chosen to desert a political party at the same time like this.
‘’There are several reasons for our decision, but most important is the obvious fact that Nigeria needs change and Ondo a new direction. We need change which is the burden of good, honest, diligent, prepared, tested and competent leadership.
“Change is a mission to a destination of greatness where our state and nation ought to be; change from broken promises, broken infrastructure, broken confidence, broken trust, broken leadership and broken future, all from which our people daily and consistently suffer.”
Receiving the defectors, National Vice Chairman (South West) of APC, Pius Akinyelure, assured them of level-playing ground, stressing that there is no founder, no joiner in the party.
He charged members to go back to their local governments and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).
State party chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, remarked that the defection of the prominent chieftains of PDP in the state has finally collapsed the structure of the party, saying that the party and the entire citizenry would resist any attempt to rig elections.
Kekemeke, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the collection of PVC.
He charged the defectors to return to their various wards and begin mobilising for APC to ensure the party wins the coming elections.
“Well, I have said before that our aims is to take over the state. What most of us are praying for is good government. We have machinery in place now on how to sell our candidates for the forthcoming elections across the state. I am confident that APC will win massively and enthrone good governance unlike what we are witnessing now. Just wait and see, you will see a new APC in Ondo,” he said.
