A leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odigbo local government area of Ondo State, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulateef, has been appointed as the Chairman (Mobilisation) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo South Senatorial District of the state.
The appointment of Abdulateef, popularly known as Sheu Agba, by the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Organisation, Dr Eddy Olafeso, followed the defection of the former APC leader and his supporters from the ruling party for the rival PDP.
Abdulateef said he moved into the PDP with all his supporters numbering about 5,000 across Odigbo local government. His supporters said they would join him in any political party of his choice.
Speaking during the reception for the new members of the PDP ceremony in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo council area, Abdulateef said both he and his supporters have taken a bold decision to dump the APC because of the bad governance in Ondo State and Nigeria that has only bred hunger, poverty, expensive petrol and lacking all democratic principles and reward systems.
His words, “They tried to bend us to stay in their party, offering millions of naira in the last few days, but I resisted them because I am for the masses, and the masses are suffering the effect of bad governance in Ondo State.
“What is the essence of me taking their money and all my supporters, thousands of them continue to live in poverty and hunger? I won’t go in such a direction; I believe Agboola Ajayi has the experience and the credentials to redirect the ship of Ondo State to prosperity. That is why we decided to join him in PDP so that together we can liberate Ondo State.
“The leader I worked tirelessly for in the last senatorial and governorship election betrayed me. Despite my efforts, I got nothing—no cash, no appointment. It was a complete disregard for my contributions. This sentiment of betrayal fueled my decision to make a political shift.
The Islamic cleric who anchored the campaign drive of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim for Senate in Ondo South Senatorial District said he has arrived into the PDP with all the people who performed the electoral victory for APC and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim stressing that this time around Ondo State Governorship seat is for PDP and Agboola Ajayi as from 2025
Also, a group called Iya Ikale group moved their supporters to PDP from APC. The group leader, Mrs Akinmoye, said she has decided to join the PDP because the APC reward system is bad and not in existence.
Her words, “They don’t take care of their party members and citizens in Ondo State; we can no longer stay in their party as from today we have decided to join the PDP.
Similarly, some APC members in Ajue dumped the party for the rival PDP. They were received into the party by Faboyede, who encouraged them to be steadfast in the party, stressing that the DP reward system did not discriminate between new or old members.
The chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Olorogun Eddy Olafeso, thanked them for coming in their thousands into the PDP. He said the party would not disappoint them or cut short their expectations.
Other notable leaders present at the occasion apart from the flag bearer of the Party, Hon Agboola Alfred Ajayi includes, Dr. Bakita Bello, Chairman Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Hon Clement Faboyede, a Director General in the campaign council, Engr Ademulegun, Lady Lydia Olafunmiloye, Dr (Mrs) Lovelyn Yemi-Ese, Hon Rasheed Elegbeleye, Ayo Fadaka and others.