A large number of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from ward one in Ore town, within Ondigbo local government of Ondo State, have defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the state prepares for its gubernatorial election on November 16.
The mass defection was spearheaded by Alhaji Yusuf Abdulateef, a prominent figure in the APC, along with his supporters. They cited a growing dissatisfaction with the leadership and governance in both Ondo State and Nigeria as the primary reasons for their departure.
Abdulateef remarked that this defection represents a liberation from oppression, vowing to campaign for the PDP candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi. He confidently stated that additional APC members within the local government are likely to follow suit before the elections.
He emphasized that his transition to the PDP, alongside over five thousand supporters from Odigbo local government, aims to unite efforts against the poor governance that has led to widespread hunger, hardship, and a lack of democratic values.
“They attempted to persuade us to remain in their party by offering substantial sums of money in recent days, but I stood firm. My commitment is to the people, who are bearing the brunt of mismanagement in Ondo State,” Abdulateef asserted. “Accepting their money while my supporters continue to suffer is not an option. We believe that Agboola Ajayi possesses the expertise and qualifications necessary to steer Ondo State towards a prosperous future, which is why we chose to align with him in the PDP.”
The well-known Muslim cleric, who previously campaigned for Senator Jimoh Ibrahim for the Senate in Ondo South, stated his commitment to ensuring Ajayi’s victory in the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Olorogun Eddy Olafeso, chairman of the Ondo PDP campaign council, enthusiastically welcomed the defectors, praising their courageous decision to join a party focused on progress. He also announced the appointment of Alhaji Sheu Agba as the Chairman of Mobilization for the Ondo South Senatorial District campaign council, underscoring Ajayi’s qualifications to lead the state towards a brighter future.
Olafeso encouraged the citizens of Ondo State to rally behind the PDP, highlighting the significance of the recent defections as a pivotal moment for the party and an indication of the declining influence of the APC in Ore and Odigbo communities. “Voting for Agboola means choosing development for our state, as the PDP and Agboola are committed to driving progress,” he declared.
