Several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iwo, Osun State, publicly renounced their membership and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday.
The event took place at Ansar-ul Deen Primary School, Araromi, Iwo, and the defectors were welcomed by Hon. Sunday Bisi, the PDP state chairman, reports Nigerian Tribune.
The defectors were led by Hon. Mutiu Akintayo, the current APC PRO in Iwo Local Government, Hon. Bamidele Aderemi (popularly known as Alonso), who is the Youth Leader of the party, and Hon. Odelade Tawakalitu, the Women Leader of the party.
While welcoming the defectors, Hon. Bisi assured the new members of equal opportunities and mutual respect within the party.
“I am excited to join this gathering today for the purpose of welcoming the admirers of our governor and party into our fold as newly-recognised members of the party. I call them the governor’s admirers because, until this moment, they definitely had been following the governor’s activities before deciding to shift their loyalty to and openly identify with the PDP as its members.
“I must tell you that you are in the right party. As you must have known, the party is non-discriminatory; as you joined the party, you are entitled to the same privileges, opportunities and recognition that are accruable to or enjoyable by the existing members of our great party.”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mr Mutiu attributed the decision to join the party to far-reaching public initiatives and programmes by the PDP-led state government under Governor Adeleke.
“We have compared notes, followed the masses-oriented works of Governor Adeleke and found that this government and its party are truly for the people. And we could no longer continue to sit on the fence. We want to be part of the process of developing our state and deliver happiness, and prosperity to every part of the state,” said Hon. Mutiu, who was the public relations officer of the APC until his defection.
“On behalf of all of us joining the party, including those who could not join us physically, I commend the governor. His commendable activities reflect positively the ingenuity of his executive and advisory teams.
“I must not forget to add that our defection was also, due in part, to the deserving and unparalleled representation being provided to the people of the Iwo Federal Constituency by Hon. Mudashiru Lukman (L&K). He is a leader worthy of our followership.”
