Ogun 2019: Akinlade’s supporters defect to APC

The ranks of Ogun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has swelled following the defection in Ipokia area of the state of over 200 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are core supporters of former member of the House of Representatives, Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade.

The defectors led by a notable grassroots mobiliser from the local government, Alhaji Saliu Falade, were received into the APC by the acting chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lemboye at a ceremony filled with fanfare and excitement.

Akinlade, who is a 2019 governorship hopeful from the Ogun West zone is still a member of the PDP, but his recent romance with the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the APC in the state, has fuelled rumours of his imminent move to the ruling party.

Leader of the defectors, Alhaji Falade, the defectors while speaking at the event, pledged on behalf of himself and others an unalloyed support to the party under the leadership of the state governor, Senator Amosun.

He said the defectors decided to move en masse to the APC because of the crisis rocking the PDP at both state and national level.

“We are joining the APC in order to contribute our quota to the development of our local and state governments. The PDP is divided and scattered. Our movement to APC is to add value to the party,” he said.

Receiving the defectors, APC Acting Chairman in the state, Alhaji Lemboye, commended the bold decision of the defectors to dump the ‘sinking ship’ of the PDP for the APC, describing their movement as a notable addition for the ruling party.

While noting that the APC in the state was an organised, disciplined party, he added that the party would give equal opportunity to all.

Other members of the state executive present at the ceremony held in Ipokia include the General Secretary, Toyin Adebusiwa; State Auditor, Michael Adeleke; and the state Treasurer, Wale Adesiji, among others.