Chieftains of the Social Democratic Party in Ondo State have dumped the party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo.
The development came barely three months ago to governorship election coming up in the state, precisely, on November 16.
At an event held in Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government of the state, on Saturday, the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa who welcomed the defectors to the camp of the ruling party, asked members of the ruling party to embrace them as members of the same party and not to discriminate against them.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government , Mr Tayo Oluwatuyi, the governor also said the defectors had taken the right direction to join the ruling party, boasting that the APC was the only political party that could win the forthcoming election.
“They have come to us now, please our leaders, let us support them and their supporters. There should be no rejection because politics is about numbers and the accommodation of different ideas. Let us all join hands together; he is a good gentleman,” the governor urged.
Also speaking, the leader of the defectors and former SDP House of Assembly candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Azeez Ademoloye, said they made the decision to join the APC, stating that the party was the only party that could win the election and they wanted to be part of the winning team.
He said, “I contested in the platform of SDP in the 2023 General Election as a House of Assembly candidate. I made several consultations and I realised that APC is the only party that can take Ondo State forward.
“As you can see, I have a lot of people, if not thousands, that are leaving our former party. So, I so much believe in this party and I know I will add a lot of value to it.”
In his remarks, the member of the House of Representatives representing Ondo West/ Ondo East Federal Constituency, Mr Abiola Makinde, said that APC was excited about the massive defection to the party, adding that it was showing that the party was on the ground, making good impacts in the state.
Makinde explained that the calibre of people like Ademoloye were more needed in the party to
achieve the party’s visions in getting to the promised land, noting that the leader of the defectors was an outstanding and successful entrepreneur that would impact positive things in the lives of youths in the party.
