Rising profile of APC in Ondo politics

Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, writes on the incidences of defection in Ondo chapter of the PDP ahead of 2016 governorship election in the state.  

Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in 2012 and former National Legal Adviser of the party, Olusola Oke, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week may have eventually dumped his dream of governing the party on the platform of his erstwhile political family. His defection, he said, was hinged on the fact that Nigeria and Ondo need a change and a new direction.

Although his ultimate ambition is to clinch the APC governorship ticket in next year’s election in the state, critics are already sounding a note of caution to him that other candidates of the party are lining up for the same ticket. The former PDP chieftain, who was received by the Deputy Governor, Alli Olanusi; Ondo APC Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke; and his deputy, Ade Adetimehin; Senator Ajayi Boroffice, among others, moved with some members of PDP to his new party.

These include Abayomi Shaba, Mrs. Oladunni Odu, Olufemi Omosanya, Femi Bello, Febi Adeyemi, Segun Odidi, Folashade Gbajobi, Folake Omogoroye, Eniola Akinditure, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya and Ayo Fayefunmi.

Others are Mrs. Yinka Ogunbabero, Chris Ayebutuwa, Sunday Kekereowo, Dare Adeniyi, Tayo Akinjo, Gbenga Opetusi, Dupe Ogundimeniha, Sule Oderinde and Nichola Akinbiola.

The rest are former Heads of Service, Olajide Ajana and Alaba Isijola; and House of Representatives member, Albert Akintoye.

The majority of the defectors are from Ondo South Senatorial District, believed to be the stronghold of the PDP in the state. With this defection, there have been insinuations in the state that the days of PDP in the state are gradually drawing to an end.

The nagging question, however, is if APC has the capacity to manage the influx of defectors into its fold. This is especially as many of them have pronounced interest in the governorship ticket of the party in 2016.

Oke, while declaring officially to APC at the party secretariat in Akure, the state capital, said the wind of change of the APC almost swept him away when he resisted joining the party before the presidential election, saying that he had surrendered himself as part of the instrument to be used in transforming the country.

He claimed that he did not join the APC because President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid, but because he wants the wind of change blowing around to also change the present administration in Ondo.

His words: “I have passionately resisted being part of this change. I resisted the wind of change that was blowing until it almost blew me out. Now, I have surrendered; I can’t resist no more.

“I have come over not because PDP lost election, but I have come over because the wind of change blowing across Nigeria must blow over Ondo. Let me commend you leaders for your courage and boldness in bringing about this change. In Ondo, I know what you people have gone through because of the forces of darkness that wanted the status quo to remain, but change is permanent.

“We have come to add value; we are not here to change anything but add value. In 2012, when I took the courage to challenge the status quo, I titled my campaign, ‘Rescue Mission’. APC has promised a platform for that rescue for Ondo.

“No power of darkness will stop change from coming to Ondo. The state is the poorest in the South West, and we have no reason to be poor, because we have everything in abundance in Ondo. But our problem is lack of good leadership, lack of vision by those who have the privilege to preside over our affairs.

“They changed a good government and replaced it with bad government and today there is penury in the land, deceit, unemployment, no industry, no employment, no job. No contracts are being awarded and what we have are broken promises, deception and corruption at their peak.”

In his address, the deputy governor urged the party members and the newly defected politicians to work hard and ensure they repeat the same record they got during the presidential elections.

Kekemeke said he believed that they are coming together to rescue the state from one man who believes that he is smarter than others.

“The Igbotako accord is that we must all come together to put an end to the looting. Today we have another accord which is great Ondo accord, with all political parties coming together to deal with the governor. Ondo State is bigger than any individual.

“Today, he is shedding crocodile tears and we must not be deceived. He runs the state as if there is no (House of) Assembly, and this is not acceptable to us. We must quickly make sure we put an end to that. We must come together against one man who believes he is the best in all things,” he said.

Aside Ondo, there has been a gale of defection from politicians, mainly of the PDP, to APC since the March 28 elections. Among prominent PDP members who have jumped ship were Jonathan Zwingina, former Senator from Adamawa State; former Edo State governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor; and General Lawrence Onoja. At a time, in fact, it was alleged that Senate President, David Mark, would be leaving the party. Mark has however put a lie to the story, vowing that even if his colleagues in the Senate would defect from PDP, he would remain the last man standing – sounded like what Peter told Jesus before the denial.