Following the controversies that trailed its governorship primary election in Ondo state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has found its ranks depleted by the defection of over 6,000 members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 6,000 members formally announced their defection from APC to PDP on Thursday in Idanre, Ondo state.
The APC defectors were led by Adebowale Olowoeye popularly known as Olumose and Bidemi Oladapo, reports Vanguard.
Abayomi Akinsolie, who led over a thousand from Apefon area, said they took the action as the “Eyitayo Jegede’s wind blowing across the state is too real to be ignored.”
At the event which took place at the popular Depot, Broad Street, Idanre, representatives of the Ebonyi, Kwara and Osun natives resident in the local government took turns to declare support for the PDP governorship candidate and registered as members of the party.
Represented by his Chief Of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, Ondo state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko said the support given to his government by the people of the area is commendable, adding that there are enough signs on ground to suggest that they will extend their unfettered support for him to the PDP candidate.
Meanwhile, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Thursday inaugurated a 50-member campaign council for the governorship elections in the state.
The APC governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, also took the opportunity to reassure his supporters that those who had defected to other parties were no threat to his ambition.
Concerning a former APC governorship aspirant now Alliance for Democracy candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, who is rumoured to have Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s support, Akeredolu said the “dead cannot threaten the living.”
Oyegun however admitted that his party faced a big challenge in the coming election as he inaugurated the campaign team.
The campaign committee which is led by the Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong has nine governors and nine Ministers as well as members of the National Assembly, a former governor as well as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Lasun.