The political structure of Marine Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, in his hometown of Iragbiji and Boripe Local Government collapsed today as key leaders of the APC in the town and the council area dumped the APC and embraced the Accord and Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In a dramatic political showdown, a popular political leader, variously described as the backbone of the Minister and the APC in Iragbiji, Hon. Kareem Afolabi, and 15 other leaders defected to the Accord, citing various reasons.
Afolabi, who is a former Chairman of Boripe Local Government, said he and other leaders decided to join Accord and support the re-election of Governor Adeleke because of the good job Governor Adeleke is doing in Osun State.
According to the veteran politician, the good performance of the Governor cannot be denied by friends or political enemies, citing several projects and programmes which are changing Osun for the better.
He said the decampees are resolved to be part of the good news happening all over the state, adding that “as an old political player, it is time for him and his supporters to support a good leader when they see one.”
Hon. Afolabi recalled his old alliance with the father of the Governor, Senator Ayoola Adeleke, whom he described as a frontline leader for the creation of Osun State, affirming that the good work of the Governor is a reflection of the pro-people life of his late father and brother.
“We also join the Governor because he has endorsed our son, President Bola Tinubu. In the Osun election, Iragbiji has no governorship candidate. We choose to back a candidate who is serving Osun well,” the veteran politician stated.
The Chairman of Accord, Pastor Tolu Akande, and members of his working committee described the defection as a burial programme for the APC in Boripe Local Government and promised fair and equitable treatment for the new members in Accord.
Governor Adeleke, who spoke after responses from other leaders, said he was overwhelmed by the commendation from the Iragbiji political leader, assuring that serving the people with integrity is a family tradition for the Adeleke family.
Recalling the role of his late father in the creation of Osun State, the Governor said his father taught him and his siblings about integrity and selflessness in public office, hence his devotion to making a positive impact as Governor of the state.
“Serving the people honestly and making an impact as a leader are lessons learnt from our father. I promise to do more now and after re-election by the good people of Osun State,” the Governor assured.
He thanked the leaders from Iragbiji and Boripe as a whole for rallying round Accord and his re-election, assuring that President Tinubu belongs to all Osun citizens.
According to the Governor, Hon. Afolabi and other leaders are welcome to the political light which has spread across party lines in the State of the Living Spring.
Senator Lere Oyewumi, Hon. Kamarudeen Ajisafe, Hon. Bunmi Jenyo, Hon. Sola Ajeigbe, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, and other top party and government functionaries joined the Governor to receive the decampees.
