No fewer than 150 people have defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at Aroro Makinde, Ward 3 in Akinyele local government area of Oyo state.
The new decampees were officially received into the party on Friday during the meeting of the party.
While speaking on why they joined the PDP, the leader of the decampees, Hon Olusola Akeem Akintunde, said he led others to join the PDP based on what he has experienced since 1999 in politics.
Akintunde clarified that althout he is not decamping to seek elective post in 2023, he may consider doing so in 2027. He added that his passion for progress which is what the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led government is doing, made him join the PDP.
He commended the governor for his projects since the commencement of this administration.
“Actually, I took this decision based on my experience so far since 1999 in politics. And everyone use to have a kind of goal or passion for whatever one is doing. I have passion for progress. I always appreciate anything progress. Progress is what matters most in our society today. Whenever I found progress, I think that’s the normal place for someone or youth to be and that has been the bases of the reason why I have taken this decision to leave APC and decamp to PDP.
“Actually, I have taken a step to contest in 2019 but Late Governor Ajimobi advised me to step down for the then State House of Assembly member which I listened to him that time and he did well to me. So I stepped down. Ever since then, I have been making move to recontest but up till this moment, APC has not been a progressive party like how it used to be. That’s why I took time to learn more before taking another decision by 2027. So I still have the ambition of contesting but not at the moment.
“So far so good, as an opposition member, I have always been antagonising the governor just because I belong to the APC but to be sincere, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is really trying. But no one can be perfect. But summarily, with what I have seen so far, he has been performing wonderfully well.”
Also speaking, the leader of the party in the area, Emmanuel Olalekan said he was happy to receive the decampees adding that their leader is a strong person in the community with many followers.
He said with him in PDP victory is certain at all polling units in the ward. He added that both the new decampees and existing members will enjoy the same right and benefits as a member of the party.
Also speaking, a leader in the ward, Elder Ayoade Adekola, said he was very happy, adding that with his defection, the opposition is no more in existence in the ward.