47 PDP Chieftains Defect To APC In Ondo

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftains and some members across Ondo State yesterday defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress APC citing the need for a change from broken promises and future as their reasons.

Leading them was the younger brother of the immediate governor, lateDr Olusegun Agagu, Femi and a former Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Hon. Victor Olabimtan. Femi was the Chief of Staff to his brother for six years while Olabimtan was also a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly in 2003 Others include a State party chairman and working committee member, members of National Assembly, Speakers and members of Ondo State House of Assembly, commissioners and Special Advisers.

Some foot soldiers of the former governorship candidates of the party in the 2012 election Chief Olusola Oke were also among the defectors fuelling speculations that he approved their defection.

They include his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kunle Adebayo, former member of OSOPADEC and former S A to the governor, Yinka Orokoto and a former local government Chairman, Dr Banji Ajaka. Former Commissioners that defected included Niran Sule, Special Duties, Mrs Bukola Tenabe, Women Affairs, Tola Wewe Tourism,Boye Adegbemisoye, Community Development, Olaitan Ayeni, Works and Tola Aworh, Information.

A former Speaker, Taofiq Abdusalam and a House of Representatives member representing Owo/Ose, Hon. Eniolorunda Omosule equally defected.

Femi Agagu at the occasion said; “Our hands are now on the plough and there is no looking back. Indeed we are convinced that in the battle between the people of Nigeria and PDP, the people shall surely win.”

Receiving them, the party Vice Chairman in the South West, Chief Oluwole Akinyelure and the state Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke said they will be integrated into the party not as joiners but co-founders.

They urged the new members to work tirelessly for the party to win in the next month’s elections.