Oyo governorship aspirant, Joseph Tegbe has reportedly bowed into Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s pressure, to join the PDP.
Although yet to officially announce his intention, Tegbe; an OAU-trained engineer, management consultant, tax advisor as well as senior partner and head technology advisory for KPMG in Nigeria, is no longer a member of the opposition party in the state.
The lingering crisis in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has consequently resulted in the loss of one or its influencial members.
Like a typical Ibadan man, Tegbe will move from Ibadan South East in Oyo South to his village in Ona-Ara local government in Oyo central senatorial district.
Meanwhile, a source close to those who secured the ‘transfer’, revealed that the deal was sealed late Tuesday night, after months of intense pressure.
Tegbe, who became popular after running a less than four months campaign in 2018 until the APC settled for Bayo Adelabu as its governorship candidate, has been pencilled down as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, edging out Bisi Ilaka, Makinde’s former chief of staff, who had initially been considered for the ticket.
It was gathered that Monsurat Sunmonu, Tegbe’s ‘big sister’ while growing up in Oyo town where the latter’s father owned a bookshop, was at the centre of the deal.
Meanwhile, an APC stalwart while reacting said, “APC hasn’t treated him very well though, I am not happy with his movement. Engr Tegbe has a lot of followers. It will definitely affect our party”.
“That chief of staff position really affected Chief Bisi Ilaka. Before then, he was loved in Oyo, where he had a solid political base but everything went with the position. I pity him but it is what it is. He has contested more than twice”, a PDP stalwart reacted.
When asked for reaction, Tegbe’s aide who preferred anonymity, said he wouldn’t want it in the media yet.
”He wouldn’t want it in the media for now. He was pressured. Sen. Monsurat was on his neck. He initially rejected it but the former lawmaker wouldn’t leave him. He has relationship with the governor too. They have met on several occasions,” said the aide.