A leader of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Osun State, Barrister Kayode Oduoye alongside thousands of his supporters have dumped Governor Ademola Adeleke for the opposition party, All Progressives Congress(APC).
Oduoye who denounced PDP on Sunday described the decision as a deliberate effort to pitch a tent with a political party built on internal democracy and democratic tenets so as to further impact people’s lives.
Receiving thousands of defectors, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola expressed gratitude to God for always being with the party now and then particularly since the party stepped aside from government.
Oyetola who described the continued unity, progress and harmony in the party as inexplicable said the party is resolute to return to government in the state.
Oyetola who was represented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji expressed delight in the large number of defectors who have willingly decided to join the party with track records of monumental development.
According to him, “I am very happy to formally receive Kayode Oduoye popularly called (Super Kay) and his followers. No doubt, Oduoye is a politician to reckon with not only in Ikirun but in the entire state. His political trajectory has been very impactful and rewarding. As a young politician of repute, our party has once again increased with great people in Ifelodun Federal Constituency.
“I want to assure you that you are mostly welcome into the progressive family. This is a party to win anytime anyday.
“We are committed to the progressive tenets and ideology as a party and these have been the template to which we have been doing great and transforming lives of the people either in government or out of government.
“As I am formally welcoming Oduoye and his people, I want to appeal to you all to continue to work in unison for the goodness and betterment of our party and the people at large.
“I want to appeal to you all to go back to your various wards and local government areas to start mobilising the people as we are prepared, resilient and resolute to record victories in the future elections”, Oyetola said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, eulogised the defectors for taking a bold step of coming to a progressive party that understands the real definition of politics and governance.
“I want to appeal to the defectors led by Kayode Oduoye to continue to work with the members of our party for our collective progress and success. We want you to be more united and committed to the party’s cause so as to ensure that our party comes victorious in the future elections.
“We are grateful that Oduoye and his people are coming at the right time. Our party is the political party to beat anytime.
“We are confident in God and humanity that our party will continue to wax stronger as ever before as affirmed by the quality of people defecting into our party”, Lawal said.
In his short remarks, the former National Deputy Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun applauded the giant step taken by the defectors and described the decision as timely and a round peg in a round hole.
In his remarks, Barrister Kayode Oduoye said his decision to join APC was informed by its democratic tenets and internal democracy that define the engagement of its loyalists.
He pledged to work in unison with all to further strengthen the party and record electoral successes and victories.