Over one thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State have shunned the African Democratic Party (ADC) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) declaring support for the APC-led administration in the country.
This is as a chieftain of the APC in the state Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi declared interest to aspire for the party’s governorship ticket, saying efforts by Governor Ademola Adeleke to join APC is not a problem for his ambition.
The defectors from across the state, mainly supporters of Dr Ogunbiyi, since he was in the PDP, were led by Alhaji Adebayo Adeniran to show solidarity for Ogunbiyi’s aspiration.
The defection and declaration event, which took place simultaneously at the APC Secretariat, Osogbo on Thursday, Adeniran said they have been with Ogunbiyi since his days in the PDP, saying rather than run to a strange place (ADC), the APC offers a better platform.
“We are from all over the state. We have been Dr Akin Ogunbiyi’s supporters from his days in the PDP and now, we cannot remain orphans but join a better platform”, he said.
Receiving the defectors, APC leaders in the state, led by a representative from the National Secretariat, Halilu Ibrahim said nothing would stop APC’s victory in the coming elections, both at the state and the federal levels.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ogunbiyi while declaring his interest to run for APC ticket in the state, said was not disturbed with the struggles by the incumbent governor to join APC, saying the party is a progressive and winning team, hence, the struggle from different states to be part of it.
“I am not worried at all that the incumbent governor is struggling to come to the APC, our party is a winning team and you can see what is happening at the national level. People are declaring around the country for APC because it is a winning party.
“Tinubu’s approach to governance is progressive for development which is touching every sector of the economy and across the states of the federation. Adeleke is a serving governor and he can come to the APC, the most important thing is to wrestle power from PDP.”
While publicly declaring his interest to vie for the governorship ticket in the state, he handed over his supporters who were still in the PDP to the party leaders to be accommodated in the party.
“I have come here today to declare and if eventually one person emerges, we will all mobilise and vote for such person. APC would return to government in the state.
“I believe I am a unifying factor for all the APC aspirants in the State, I have my people across the state and I enjoy a lot of goodwill. My supporters came from all the states to join me in solidarity for this declaration. My chances are very high and bright”, he said.
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