Hundreds of APC members defect to PDP in Ondo

• Ajayi, a former deputy governor of the state, along with the PDP state leadership, welcomed the defectors at the Akure town hall in the state capital on Wednesday
  

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On Wednesday, members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo State announced their defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defectors, hailing from the state’s 208 wards across its 18 local government areas, declared their readiness to support the PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in the November 16 governorship election.

Ajayi, a former deputy governor of the state, along with the PDP state leadership, welcomed the defectors at the Akure town hall in the state capital on Wednesday.

During the event, Ajayi addressed the new members, highlighting the prevalent suffering, hunger, and anger in the state due to the alleged maladministration of the APC-led government. He promised that, if elected, he would offer a better alternative for the people of Ondo State, and urged the new members to collaborate with existing PDP members to secure a victory in the forthcoming election.

He said, “We are working very hard to regain the state and we need to be strategic about it in order to emerge victorious in the November 2024 election because the people of the state are looking up to us.

“As new members, I assure you of all rights accrued to the rest of our members. We will ensure that you benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments.”

In his remark, the state Chairman of the PDP, Tola Alabere, said the umbrella of the PDP was wide enough to accommodate more new members, assuring the defectors of equal treatment and fairness.

Alabere said, “I am confident that his election will mark a rapid growth in the fortunes of the state and you are welcome to join this moving train as partners to reposition the state towards development.”

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the former APC organising Secretary in Akure South LG, Akinwande Fayinminu, said they decided to leave the ruling party due to a lack of internal democracy.

“The APC lacks internal democracy, that is why they are factionalised, since they came to power they have not integrated many members of the party. They are operating the party like an occultic group. We can’t stay in such a party any longer,” Fayimimu stated.