Jubril Bada
No fewer than 63 chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Idanre Local Government area of Ondo State have defected with their followers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)..
Among the chieftains are former Personal Secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Banji Kuroloja; Chief Korede Duyile; Prof. John Jejela; chairman, PDP Elders’ Forum, Idanre Local Government, Architect Idowu Akinseye; former Special Adviser to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Marcus Adeoti; Lad Owoseni; former chairman Timber finishers, Brigadier Omogbemi; Oludele ; former secretary Idanre Local Government, Mrs Jejelola and many others.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Prof. John Jejela said that they have collapsed the entire structure of the PDP in Idanre Local Government area for APC.
He assured that they would boost the strength of APC in the local government in preparation for the forthcoming elections in the state, particularly the governorship election.
Jejela said the APC Chairman in the State, Mr. Ade Adetimehin was majorly responsible for the facilitation of their defection. He,therefore, thanked him on behalf of his fellow defectors and their followers in the state for accepting them to their fold.
While accepting the defectors to his party, the State Chairman of APC, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, revealed that the crop of chieftains of PDP who decamped to his party were the people who always give him and his party a tough time during elections.
Adetimehin, who is also from the local government declared that, with their defection to his party, APC would be having a field day in all elections in the local government.
“Although we haven’t lost the governorship election here -we won the last two governorship elections-we are now double sure that we shall henceforth be having a field day whenever election holds in this local government”.
The defected chieftains with their numerous followers cut across all the wards in the council.
“This is one of the largest harvests we’ve ever had in a swoop in this local government.
“We are providing a level playing field for everyone in APC irrespective of when you join us. We have become one family with one goal of providing good government for our people.”
The Commissioner for Environment and an indigene of the local government, Mr. Sunday Akinwalere said the development brought to Idanre by the APC-led government was also responsible for the defection.
He disclosed that before the advent of the administration, there was only a road leading to Idanre town, but link roads have been constructed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration.
