Several hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) publicly renounced their membership of the party and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday.
The defectors were formally welcomed to the party at Ansar-ul Deen Primary School, Araromi, Iwo in the Iwo Local Government area of Osun State by Hon. Sunday Bisi, the PDP state chairman.
Leading the defectors from various political units and wards in Iwo were the current APC PRO in Iwo local government, Hon. Mutiu Akintayo, the Youth Leader of the party, Hon. Bamidele Aderemi popularly known as Alonso, Women Leader of the party, Hon. Odelade Tawakalitu. others were Hammed Muideen, Deacon Olawale Stephen who led their hundreds of followers to join PDP.
In an atmosphere full of cheers and excitement, Hon. Bisi assured the new members of equal opportunities and mutual respect enjoyable by old members of the party.
“I am excited to join this gathering today for the purpose of welcoming the admirers of our governor and party into our fold as newly-recognised members of the party. I call them the governor’s admirers because, until this moment, they definitely had been following the governor’s activities before deciding to shift their loyalty to and openly identify with the PDP as its members,” Bisi told the cheering audience.
“I must tell you that you are in the right party. As you must have known, the party is non-discriminatory; as you joined the party, you are entitled to the same privileges, opportunities and recognition that are accruable to or enjoyable by the existing members of the our great party.”
After their reception, the new members spoke of their deep affection and appreciation of the far-reaching public initiatives and programmes by the PDP-led state government under Governor Adeleke.
“We have compared notes, followed the masses-oriented works of Governor Adeleke and found that this government and its party are truly for the people. And we could no longer continue to sit on the fence. We want to be part of the process of developing our state and deliver happiness, prosperity to every part of the state,” said Hon. Mutiu, who was the public relations officer of the APC until his defection.
“On behalf of all of us joining the party, including those who could not join us physically, I commend the governor. His commendable activities reflect positively the ingenuity of his executive and advisory teams.
“I must not forget to add that our defection was also, due in part, to the deserving and unparalleled representation being provided to the people of the Iwo Federal Constituency by Hon. Mudashiru Lukman (L&K). He is a leader worthy of our followership.”
By this defection, the PDP has increased in manifolds, strengthening its grassroots strength and presence to effectively politik in the interest of the state.
Hon. Sunday Bisi assured the party ranks and file that many people would still join the party soon as the governor continues to execute the party’s campaign objectives across the state.
