Ahead of the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Ondo state appears to be facing political tsunami with the latest development, as no fewer than 29 influential leaders of the party, who are mostly known associates of the only living former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, have dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a statement signed by the leaders, the need to be part of an obvious effort to reposition the state on the path of continous prosperity and peace is one of their many reasons to have joined the APC.
Below is the full text of the statement, as made available to newsmen below;
We have joined the APC.
We the undersigned citizens of Ondo State, associates of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and political leaders in our own rights, after series of consultations and discussions resolved to join and have joined the All Progressives Congress APC, most of us having resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Our reasons for joining the APC could be summarised as follows: the need to be part of the processes that will lead to the election of Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as Governor of Ondo State; the need to be part of an obvious effort to reposition our state on the path of continous prosperity and peace; and the need to contribute to the efforts of the President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to frontally tackle the challenges facing our nation and bring needed peace, equity and progress to the states and the country at large.
We state that there are local and personal realities that also underlie our decision either as individuals or as a group. The fact that the PDP as currently run is not being positioned for victory either at the State level or at the national level makes our decision most auspicious at this moment.
We agree that our nation is facing some challenges that are as a result of cummulative errors of the past as well as direct unavoidable consequences of efforts to correct them by the current president.
We however are firm in our believe that a committed dedication to the path of reforms as being pursued by the President will definitely take our country out of the woods. Hence our decision to be part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
We have in the past few days been mobilising our colleagues, friends and associates to join the APC across the State and be part of the progress and development that our State and nationares headed for.
We do not boast of any magic wand but are ready to commit time and energy to the growth and progress of the party we have chosen to join, a party that has consistently proved to be more open to new members and new ideas.
We are committed to work within our new party for the collective good of all.
We need to state that many more of our colleagues and associates will be joining in the days and weeks ahead for the same reasons identified above. We add that flowing from our interactions with HE Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and the Chairman of the APC, Hon Ade Adetimehin, the date and time of an official welcome programme will be announced soon.
E- Signed
1. Hon Joseph Akinlaja
2. Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele
3. Engr Gboye Adegbenro
4. Hon Kolade Akinjo
5. Hon Gboluga Ikengboju
6. Chief Alaba Lad Ojomo
7. Engr Jide Adejuyigbe
8. Barr Tunde Atere
9. Hon Ebenezer Alabi
10. Hon Ajani Oladipo
11. Yeyeoge Funmilola Oluwadare
12. Com Solomon Adelegan
13. Com Femi Bosede
14. Chief Yele Ogundipe
15. Com Dayo Akinte
16. Dr Dapo Iwala
17. Mr Femi Ofakunrin
18. Mr Olumide Olugbebi
19. Ms Omowumi George
20. Mr Gbenga Aro
21. Alhaji Rauf Ogunsola (Arowasi)
22. Ms Taiye Afilaka
23. Hon Adetimehin Badeji Jacob
24. Dr Felix Kehinde
25. Com Babatunde Sobande
26. Hon Idowu Ogunmade
27. Mr Olanrewaju Longe
28. Mr Abiodun Temenu
29. Eni Akinsola
