The ranks of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State was on Tuesday depleted as notable party chieftains defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Prominent among those who dumped the PDP for APC are a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Taofiq Olawale Abdusalam and a former Chief of Staff, Femi Agagau, who is the younger brother of the late Ondo governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
Others are; Laitan Ayeni, Tolu Fadahunsi, Dr Adeluse Obe, Dr Banji Ajaka, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, Segun Adagunodo, Otunba Rasak Isijola, Kunle Adebayo, Abiodun Jerome, Mrs Bukola Tenabe, Eni Akinsule, Ola Ilesanmi, Jide Ipinsagba, Tola Wewe, Akin Aibinuomo and Jones Akinyugha.
“APC will form the next national government in May, 2015 and Ondo State needs a new direction,” Femi Agagu told party faithful as he justified their defection.
Ondo State chairman of APC, Isaacs Kekemeke and South-West Vice Chairman, Pius Akinyelure, commended them for taking a bold step to embrace change.
Agagu spoke further, “We have resolved to embrace change which the APC represents and drum support for the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Professor Yemi Osibajo as well as all the candidates of the party.
“We took this decision after lengthy sessions of consultation with friends, political associates as well as supporters in all the 203 wards of the state. We have also received the confidence of distinguished elder statesmen, non political young and elderly citizens who are concerned about the future of our dear state and country.
“Today is indeed a watershed in the political history of Ondo State. Never before have so many notable people chosen to leave a political party at the same time like this.
“There are several reasons for our decision but most important is the obvious fact that Nigeria needs change and Ondo State, a new direction. We need Change, which is the burden of good, honest, diligent, prepared, tested and competent leadership.
“Change is a mission to a destination of greatness where our state and nation ought to be. Change from broken promises, broken infrastructures, broken confidence, broken trust, broken leadership and broken future, all from which our people suffer.
“We also need change to ensure Ondo State people are not left behind in the current movement for a new direction and path for the greatness of Nigeria. At this juncture, it is our conviction that Ondo State people are progressive in nature and would fare better in a party that has progressive ideologies and focused leadership.”
