Ondo APC gains hundreds of PDP defectors

Over 300 members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State have dumped their party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

The development has further depleted the camp of the main opposition party, as the defectors come from various wards across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Welcoming the defectors to the APC at the party Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, on Monday, the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, described their actions as a boost to the ruling party’s chances of winning the next general election for President Bola Tinubu and its national and state assembly candidates.

Adetimehin attributed the steady influx of new members to what he called the party’s strong internal structure and leadership capacity, adding that the APC has mechanisms to maintain cohesion and integrate new entrants without destabilising its existing framework.

“I want to welcome you to our party. This is to show how APC is waxing strong in Ondo State. This expansion of our membership base would further strengthen the party ahead of future elections, particularly the presidential election and state and national assembly elections. This would boost the chances of the party to ensure President Bola Tinubu returns for a second term.

“I want to appeal to our new members to return to their wards and actively participate in party activities.

“Our party believes in the well-being of our people. We have means of managing internal wrangling within our party. And by the grace of God, our leadership is doing well. People know that when you join APC, your interests will be protected,” the party’s chairman said.

One of the defectors, Bamidele Ayodele, popularly known as BOA, described the move to leave the PDP as a well-considered decision taken after consultations with stakeholders in the party.

Ayodele, who was a House of Assembly candidate of the PDP in the last general election, said the party he left was severely fractured and not prepared to effectively challenge or provide credible governance even if it found itself in power.

He disclosed that over 300 defectors were physically present at the defection ceremony on Monday, while over 2,000 other opposition members had already resolved to leave and join the APC at the ward level.

He said: “If you look at the party where I’m coming from, it’s severely fractured. It is not a party that is ready to muscle power out of the ruling party. They are not ready. If by mistake they even get the power, it’s very obvious that they will squander it.

“So the best thing we can do is to sit down and look at what the ruling party is doing. In all areas, in all parameters of development, we can see that the ruling party is doing well, and the best any right-thinking politician should do at this time is to actually join forces with the ruling party and give the people the dividend of democracy. Over 300 are here today, but I can tell you, over 2,000 would join us in APC from the PDP very soon.

“It’s not about being an opposition; it is more important for you to be a partner in progress. So, that’s what we have decided to do at a time like this, and I’m excited about the privilege.”