- Ex Commissioner Lebi Adepiti, ex-OSOPADEC chairman Debo Ajimuda, LG, Ward officers collapse opposition in Ilaje
The backbone of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State suffered a fracture on Wednesday as leaders of the party announced their departure from the party ahead of the November governorship election in the State.
The PDP leaders, led by former Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Lebi Adepiti, and former Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and State Vice Chairman of the PDP in the Southern Senatorial District, Prince Debo Ajimuda, decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During a visit to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in his office in Akure, preparatory to their open declaration, the PDP leaders said their decision to join the APC was hinged on their interest in supporting the Governor in the next election.
The decampees also included former political office holders at State and local government levels, as well as local government and ward officers of the PDP in Ilaje Constituency 1 and Constituency 2.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Adepiti stated their commitment to mobilising support for Governor Aiyedatiwa in Ilaje and its environs ahead of the coming governorship election.
He said: “We are committed to supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa out of our own free will. We recognize his strong performance since he became governor and we believe in standing by our brother rather than seeking alternatives.
“We believe it is our duty as brothers to unite with him and advance the State. The PDP no longer exists in Ilaje local government. Our ward executives, members, women leaders, councillors, and supervisors are all committed to the Aiyedatiwa project. We are ready for APC, we are ready to work for you.”
Prince Debo Ajimuda, on his part, praised Governor Aiyedatiwa as a determined leader and requested an enabling environment for the decampees to mobilize more grassroots support ahead of the election.
The State Chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who welcomed the new members into the party, promised to support their official decamping ceremony. He stressed that the APC does not discriminate as all members would be given a level playing field.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed his gratitude for their decision to join the APC and support his campaign, describing it as a strong indication of Ilaje people’s solidarity with him.
The Governor assured the new members that they would retain their leadership roles within the APC, reflecting their positions in the former party.
Promising inclusive participation, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the new members would not be marginalized but would enjoy the benefits and opportunities within the APC.
Those in attendance included the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, and other top government officials.
