President shifts Ondo rally as 46 PDP leaders join APC

•Party in disarray as Mimiko’s leadership is
rejected

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in Ondo State
might have fallen apart with yesterday’s defection
of 48 key members to the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
Following the development, President Goodluck’s
campaign – slated for today in Akure, the state
capital, was cancelled.
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko who is the
Southwest coordinator of the Jonathan campaign,
received a huge jolt by the defections, announced
at a news conference in Akure, it was learnt.
Since Mimiko’s return from the Labour Party (LP)
to the PDP, the party in the state has not knonw
peace.
Party leaders have accused the governor of playing
politics of exclusion.
Part of the reasons they gave is his choice of Mr.
Tokunbo Modupe as the Jonathan campaign
coordinator in the state when he (mimiko) is the
Southwest coordinator. He was accused of not
giving any consideration to the original members
of the PDP.
Mimiko’s spokesman Mr. Eni Ekinsola, however,
said the Presidential Campaign in Akure was
rescheduled because of the need for the President
to receive visiting former Secretary General of the
United Nations (UN), Mr. Kofi Annan.
The defectors who were mostly former political
office holders, old PDP members and former
Labour Party(LP) chieftains include, the Chief of
Staff to former Governor Olusegun Agagu, Mr. Femi
Agagu, former Speakers of the State Assembly,
Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Abdulsalam, a House
of Representatives member for Owo/Ose federal
constituency, Eniolorunda Omosule, Niran Sule,
Akinyemi Akinnigbagbe and Tola Wewe.
Others are Prince Olowokanga, Bukola Tenabe,
Boye Adegbemisoye, Olaitan Ayeni, Mrs Tola Owoh,
Ife Iji, Felix Okereji, Akinyugha Jones, Kunle Odidi,
Abiodun Jerome, Pelemo Samuel, E.O Obagbemi,
Ade Obe, Banji Ajaka, Tolu Babaleye, Akin
Aibinuomo, Funso Esan, Kole Oluwajana and Feyi
Bali.
The rest are: Deolu Ijose, Otunba Itiola, Deji
Aiyejoto, Tolu Fadahunsi, Tony Jayeola, Tola
Akinseye, Yinka Orokoto, Jide Ipinsagba, F.A
Falohun, Kunle Adebayo, Razaq Obe, Rasak Isijola,
Falana Tajudeen, Segun Adagunodo, Wale
Ogunmola, Prince Kiladejo, Wale Adegbakinro Hon.
Olasunkanmi and Tunde Taiwo.
Agagu, who spoke on their behalf, hinged their
defection on the fact that Nigeria needs a change
and Ondo state needs a new direction.
The former CoS said those in their group were
formidable stakeholders.
He decried the level of tyranny and bad leadership
in the state.
Agagu said the defectors included former state
party chairman, working committee members,
members of National Assembly, Speakers and
members of the State Assembly, commissioners
and Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and
Senior Civil Servants; Chairmen of Boards,
parastatals and local government councils, special
assistants, councilors and established grassroots
political leaders.
He added that they had resolved to embrace
change which the APC represents and drum
support for the victory of General Muhammadu
Buhari (Rtd) and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and other
candidates of the party.
The former CoS said: “We took this decision after
lenghty sessions of consultation with
friends,political associates as well as supporters in
all the 203 wards of the state. We have also
received the confidence of distinguished elder
statesmen, non political young amd elderly citizens
who are concerned about the future of our dear
state and country.
“Today is indeed a watershed in the political
history of Ondo State. Never before have so many
notable people chosen to desert a political party at
the same time like this.
‘’There are several reasons for our decision but
most important is the obvious fact that Nigeria
needs change and Ondo State, a new direction, we
need change which is the burden of good, honest,
diligent, prepared, tested and competent
leadership.
“Change, which is a mission to a destination of
greatness where our state and nation ought to be.
Change from broken promises, broken
infrastruture, broken confidence, broken trust,
broken leadership and broken future, all from
which our people daily and consistently suffer”.
Receiving the defectors, National Vice Chairman
(Southwest) of APC, Chief Pius Akinyelure assured
them of level play ground,stressing that there is no
founder, no joiner in the party.
Akinyelure charged members to go back to their
local governments and collect their Permanent
Voter Cards (PVCs).
State APC Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, said the
defection of prominent chieftains of PDP has finally
collapsed the structure of the party.
The former Secretary to the State Government
(SSG)said the party and the entire citizenry would
resist any attempt to rig the elections.
He urged INEC to allow collection of PVC,urging the
electoral body to inform the people that “ Kaadi
Igbeayo ” could not substitute PVC.
Dignitaries at the event include Senator Ajayi
Boroffice,Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Lebi Morayo,
Ifedayo Abegunde, Adedipe Adegboyga, Ade
Adetimehin, Tunji Abayomi, Erelu Modupe-Akindele
Johnson, Kehinde Adeniran, Abayomi Adesanya,
Olu Adegboro, Solagbade Amodeni,Adewale
Omojuwa, among others.