NB247
Following the defection to the All Progressives Congress of persons known to be associated with former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko ahead of the November 16 governorship election, it has been a war of words between the ruling party and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
In what appears to be a recycling of the defection exercise, the group of politicians on Tuesday announced their defection to the APC in support of the governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Majority of those named in the move had earlier in August announced their move to the APC in a similar fashion.
APC’s Director of Publicity, Steve Otaloro, described the defection as a significant political shift ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State.
But the PDP campaign describes them as “mere rolling stones who gather no moss as they relocate from one Party to another during every election cycle.”
However, Mr Otaloro insisted that the move solidifies the alliance between Mimiko’s associates and Mr Aiyedatiwa, paving the way for a united front in the upcoming governorship election.
The ruling is feeling comfortable that it now has key players from the Ade Adefarati, Olusegun Agagu, and Olusegun Mimiko eras, united to ensure the victory of Mr Aiyedatiwa come November this year.
Those listed to have defected were led by Akinlaja Joseph, a two-term House of Representatives member and former Labour leader.
The defectors claim they would contribute to APC’s victory and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They’said they have already enlisted supporters across 203 wards to demonstate their commitment to the party’s success.
Other notable persons in the move include Alaba Ojomo, former Chairman of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Finance; Jumoke Akindele, former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly; Victor Akinjo, former House of Reps member; and Gboluga Ikengboju, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.
Mr Otaloro stated that more associates are expected to join APC from the 18 local government areas, further bolstering the party’s chances in the election.
But Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, of the PDP Governorship Campaign Organisation, says the defectors had long been detached from his party and their recent move would not affect the fortunes of the party.
“We take due cognisance of the actions of some people led by Hon Joseph Akinlaja that have since joined the APC two months back,” Mr Fadaka said.
“We restate that previous to their action, they were completely detached from developments within our Party, even one of them that vied for our gubernatorial ticket was sponsored by the APC which had earlier nominated him as NDDC Commissioner at the onset of the Tinubu administration, such a character cannot be considered as an asset to the Party.
“We note conclusively that these people are mere rolling stones who gather no moss as they relocate from one Party to another during every election cycle.
They have never been politically stable, reason we are not missing them.
“They will add nothing to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Party, rather they will become unlucky, and we congratulate him and APC on this account.”
Mr Fadaka urged serious minded people remaining in APC to take cognisance that a large chunk of their colleagues responsible for APC’s success in the past had since teamed up with the PDP.
He said they must waste no further time to join the PDP in its quest to reposition Ondo State for development and productivity.