“Go back to your wards and mobilise for Tinubu’s second term” — Adetimehin tells defectors
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State suffered another major blow on Monday as former Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government, Hon. Alaba Arohunmolase, alongside all ward chairmen, party leaders, and their supporters, formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) collapsed their structures into the APC in the local government area.
Among other notable defectors were High Chief Odeja, High Chief Giwa, Hon. Bolaji, Chief Ojo Akinniyi, and Prince Adeniyi Olanipekun.
The defectors were received at a carnival-like rally held at the Motor Park in Oke-Agbe Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North-West, by Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (represented by Commissioner for Water Resources, Elder Ayodele Akande), the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the APC State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Akoko North-West APC Chairman, Hon. Kehinde Obanla, and other party leaders.
APC Chairman, Adetimehin, described the defectors as grassroots heavyweights and assured them of equal opportunities in the party.
“The doors of our party are open to all who are ready to leave their sinking political platforms for the APC,” he said.
He charged the new members to return to their wards, officially register as APC members, and mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027.
Adetimehin also urged supporters without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to take advantage of the INEC Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise that commenced today.
“We know your worth as grassroots politicians in Akoko land. In 2023, Ondo State delivered the highest percentage of votes for President Tinubu. By 2027, we must double our efforts,” he declared.
On his part, Minister of Interior Tunji-Ojo, represented by Asiwaju Muyiwa Asagunla, State Coordinator of the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), urged the defectors to propagate Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the administration’s policies were already putting Nigeria on the path of economic recovery, security reform, and infrastructural renewal.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the leaders said their decision to join APC was driven by the purposeful leadership of President Tinubu and the grassroots mobilisation of Tunji-Ojo.
