The rocky town of Idanre in Ondo State yesterday witnessed an unprecedented mass defection of leaders and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The over 2,500 former PDP members were led by the member representing Ondo State at the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Oluremi Akinbobola and an ex-Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Akin Akingbesote (A&T).
At the rally were National Vice Chairman Pius Akinyelure; Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs Prof Cladius Daramola; former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, former Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin; State Chairman Isaac Kekemeke; his deputy, Ade Adetimehin; Ifedayo Abegunde(Abena); Dr Tunji Abayomi and Prince Olu Adegboro.
Also, some governorship aspirants – Jamiu Ekungba, Victor Olabimtan, Olusola Oke, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Segun Abraham – were present.
Akinbobola said: “We want to ensure that we join hands with our leaders, in the local government and in Nigeria.
“The national vice chairman of APC is our brother in Idanre, so we have to join hands with him.
“So, we want to join hands with President Buhari to ensure a better Nigeria.”
Akingbesote described his defection as a fulfilment of his dreams.
He promised to use his structures to work and win elections for the APC.
Receiving the defectors, Akinyelure urged them to be loyal to the party.
He urged them to continue to preach the gospel of the APC and the change agenda to the people.
Kekemeke said the APC had become a preferred destination, stressing that it has graduated into a big party in Ondo State.
“Go and tell the people, nine months from now, we shall win election to occupy the Alagbaka Government House.”
