Two former supporters of the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko – Senator Ayo Akinyelure and Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi – have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akinyelure represented Ondo Central Senatorial District, Mimiko’s senatorial district, in the seventh National Assembly.
Osunyikanmi was Mimiko’s Personal Assistant as Commissioner for Health under the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati.
He also served the governor in other capacities such as Special Assistant, Senior Special Assistant and Commissioner for Education.
He was Special Adviser on International Relations to President Goodluck Jonathan before becoming the Director-General of the Technical Aids Corp.
Akinyelure and Osunyinkami, in a statement on Sunday, said they left the PDP with their supporters because of the need to support the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The statement reads: “We are most delighted to announce our formal declaration for the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ondo State. This declaration, which has ignited the fire of passionate endorsements across the state, followed our historic disengagement from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“Our decision was taken after several months of wide consultations with our esteemed leaders, constructive constituents, fervent followers and very distinguished admirers from the length and breadth of Ondo State.
“The mood in Ondo State, as clearly expressed in the last general election, shows that the people truly want a change. In spite of the fact that we have a PDP government in the state, our people voted massively for President Mohammadu Buhari of the APC. That situation has not changed. In fact, the calls for total change at all levels of governance in the state are getting more stringent due to the failure of the PDP-led state government to deliver democracy dividends to the people.
“As progressive politicians with track records in people’s welfare and empowerment, we cannot but identify with a political platform that is poised to change Nigeria for good.
Therefore, our decision to align with other genuine progressives in the APC is hinged on the need to engender good governance in our state, put the state in the mainstream of national politics and foster regional integration which has long been frustrated by the current selfish and egocentric leadership in Ondo State.
“Our journey of change has just begun with this epic declaration. We shall keep you abreast of other milestones as history unfolds in Ondo State politics.”
