Over 3,000 leaders, youths and supporters of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State yesterday defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
They comprised over 2,000 LP chiefs from Idanre and adjoining villages as well as more than 1,000 youths from Akure North Local Government Area. The youths are mainly members of the Ondo Youths for Good Governance.
The Idanre defectors were from the four major wards of Lemikan, Ijomu Isunrun, Irowo and Jigbokin.
Idanre is the home town of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi; Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade; Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Taye Akinyele; and the Senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Akinyelure. They are LP chieftains.
The defectors were led by the ruling party’s leaders, including Mrs. M.O Ademujimi, Aladetuyi Benson, Oyediran Kayode, Bintilaye Kehinde, Adewale Adebayo and Adesakin Christianah.
Others were Kayode Oyediran, Taiwo Hassan, Muritala Olakunle, Adebayo Oladiran, Akinwande Adebisi, Olaniyan, Veronica and Elder Oni Lanre.
The defectors denounced LP, saying: “We are leaving the ruling party mainly in solidarity with the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Planning and Strategy, Saka Lawal.”
They described Lawal as the LP machinery and a God-fearing personality who was frustrated out of the ruling party by Mimiko and some of his allies in the government.
The defectors noted that despite having scores of Idanre indigenes in Mimiko’s government, the area has not had any developmental project.
They said: “The present government could best be described as a compact administration where Mimiko and his few cabals, including Soji Bello, an indigene of Ekiti State, are becoming ‘tin gods’ in the state.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure the emergence of ACN government that has laudable programmes for the masses.”
The youths said their defection was in solidarity with the former Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, who is now an ACN chieftain.
The group’s president, Oromidayo Balogun said: “We are irrevocably committed to the welfare of our people and we believe wholeheartedly that ACN is the only viable and credible political party.
“It is through this party we can achieve our aspiration as the only alternative to the present visionless political configuration in the state.”
The defectors include: Babatunde Ayorinde, Olumide Awosika, Oni Daramola, Anjorin Olamide, Fasemore Ayomide, Asamo Niyi and Sunday Joseph.
Others are: Pelumi Oni, Famewo Seun, Ayoade Olulateun and Busayo Bello.
No comments:
Post a Comment