The Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to Engr. Joseph Tegbe’s defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), urging its members not to be bothered by it.
In a reaction statement signed by its acting State Publicity Secretary, who also doubles as Assistant State Publicity Secretary – Hon. Shittu Adebayo Mukaila, the party claimed it received the news of Engr. Tegbe’s defection to the PDP through media reports.
“Though no political party will celebrate the exit of a member, the defection of Engr. Joseph Tegbe did not come to us as a shock as he had been clandestinely romancing Gov. ‘Seyi Makinde immediately after failing to get the 2019 governorship ticket of our great party. As a matter of fact, he worked assiduously for the victory of his real home – the PDP in the 2019 election, whilst deriving joy from the electoral loss of the APC.
“In order to prepare ground for his defection and to continue with his consultancy jobs, some of Engr. Tegbe’s lieutenants like the erstwhile Director-General of his campaign organisation in 2018 and a few notable others, have since joined the PDP. The aforementioned assured that Engr. Tegbe would not only get PDP Senatorial Ticket but he would continue to enjoy juicy consultancy jobs from the Oyo State Government.
“Going by the official statement confirming his defection to PDP, Engr. Tegbe lent credence to the fact that he indeed is a merchant in politics. He went further to state that he served Oyo state government in different non-political capacities. We wish to put it on record that Engr. Tegbe was just a paid business consultant to our late leader – His Excellency Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi (of blessed memory) and just like any contractor, he got juicy consultancy contracts in a personal capacity from Governor Ajimobi-led Oyo government. He always put his personal consultancy above the consultancy jobs of his employer. We dare Engr. Tegbe to deny that he is a political merchant, then we shall release indisputable documents, revealing his dealings with the immediate past government”, the PDP threatened.
It further alledged Tegbe of leveraging on his contractual relationship with late former governor Ajimobi and enticement of consultancy fees from the government, to signify interest in the 2019 governorship ticket of APC.
Having failed to get the party’s ticket, he was accused of igniting an unholy secret relationship with Makinde.
“There is no denying the fact that Engr. Tegbe was unknown in the political and social arena of Oyo state. The only demographic of Oyo State who will not forget Engr. Tegbe in a hurry are the traumatised staff members of the BCOS, who know him not as politician but as a consultant who brought untold misery to innocent employees of the State Broadcasting Station. Sadly, the staff of BCOS will never forget him in a hurry for his draconian and convoluted staff rationalisation exercise.
“Engr. Tegbe also singlehandedly cornered the Scout Camp Market Project for his personal gain, using proxy contractors and he is sad that such opportunities no longer existed in the APC.
“Since he debuted into partisan politics in 2018 and up till the time he exited Oyo APC, Engr. Tegbe wholly relied on the political structure of late Ajimobi of blessed memory.
“Since he joined APC alone, Engr. Tegbe left alone. No single member, not even a gladiator followed him to board the sinking ship of PDP. No wonder there is calmness in APC after his exit”, the statement added.
Oyo PDP further described Engr. Tegbe’s defection to PDP as one greeted with unwelcome statements and hostilities. It noted that from grassroots and social media negative feedbacks to Tegbe, even as a founding member of PDP, Hon. Dare Adeleke joined other party gladiators to reject the coming of the merchant politician.
Responding to Engr. Tegbe’s claim that he defected to PDP because the minority group took over Oyo APC structure, the PDP said the excuse is untenable as all tendencies (including Tegbe) have stakes in the composition of party executives at ward, local, state, zonal and national levels.
“Being a greenhorn in politics, he cowardly left the house having failed to learn and play competitive politicking”, the statement added.
The statement concluded by wishing Engr. Tegbe good luck while assuring that Oyo APC is leaving no stone unturned to dislodge the ‘misruling’ PDP Government in 2023.
It further encouraged its members not to fidget over the development, stating that with people like Engr. Tegbe in its fold, Oyo PDP will experience massive implosion in the coming days.
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