Former governor of Osun State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on Wednesday, alongside other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of other political parties, joined the PDP at a South West unification rally held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
Adorning a PDP branded agbada, Oyinlola said his return to the PDP was informed by deceit and sectionalism in the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.
He said the deceit of the APC administration was seen in the party promising restructuring of the country in the run-up to the last general election only to later posit that the real definition of restructuring has to be clarified.
Oyinlola said sectionalism was epitomised in the occupation of positions hitherto occupied by Southerners with Northerners.
He gave particular instances of that of former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside as evidence that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration favoured Northerners over Southerners.
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Though Oyinlola had left the PDP for the APC and subsequently the African Democratic Congress (ADC), he said his affinity had always been with the PDP.
While thanking the PDP for accepting him back, Oyinlola said his return was the onset of a restructuring of the PDP in the South West.
He prayed that all the PDP had lost over time in the nation’s politics will return.
Others who joined the PDP at the rally include former Oyo deputy governor, Mr Taofeek Arapaja; former member of the Oyo state house of Assembly, Mr Ademola Ige; governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo state, Mr Remi Oseni; former Secretary to the Osun state government, Fatai Akinbade; Secretary ADC in Oyo State, Mr Wasiu Emiola; Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party in Lagos, Mr. Olalere Gbadamosi; former Senator representing Oyo North, Gbenga Babalola.
Present at the event included National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus represented by National Organising Secretary, Mr Austin Akobundu (rtd); host governor, Mr Seyi Makinde; his Bayelsa counterpart, Duoye Diri; former Minister of State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Deputy National Chairman, PDP, Chief Bode George; former Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose; former governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.
Other PDP chieftains present include Deputy National Chairman (South), Yemi Akinwonmi; Deputy National Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi; Zonal Publicity Secretary (South West), Ayo Fadaka; Senator representing Oyo South, Kola Balogun; Dr. Saka Balogun; Mrs Mutiat Ladoja; federal lawmaker representing Ibadan South West/North West, Honourable Stanley Olajide; former governorship candidate of the party in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke; spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Mr Segun Showunmi.
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