Defection hits the opposition parties in Ekiti State, on Saturday, as about 1,000 members defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) to work with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and ensure the realization of the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This happened few hours after the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ekiti State upheld the victory of Governor Oyebanji and his Deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye in the June 18,2022 governorship election
The defectors were mostly stalwarts of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) and Social Democratic Party(SDP) in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
They predicated their actions on their interest and willingness to join hands with the Oyebanji’s government to bring about meaningful changes and ensure total victory for Tinubu in next year’s general election.
Spokesman of the defectors and former SDP Legal Adviser in Ikere Local Government , Mr. Olatunbosun Asana, stated that he led hundreds of supporters of his former party in Ikere constituency 2 into APC to work for the success of the party’s candidates in 2023.
Asana dispelled the insinuation that he defected to APC because of the Thursday’s Tribunal judgement, which upheld the election of Oyebanji and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs)Monisade Afuye.
“We came to support and enjoy dividends of democracy in APC. I personally observed that the present administration has what it takes to move Ekiti forward and we need to join hands to achieve its lofty dreams of ensuring economic prosperity for the people”.
Also, the ADC Chairman in Ikere Local Government, Mr Lanre Adekogba, added that he was captivated to joining APC owing to Oyebanji’s open -door policy and well encapsulated six- point agenda of his administration.
Adekogba, who pointed out that Governor Oyebanji had demonstrated that he had the interest of bringing development, noted that the Governor had spread the olive branch to those in opposition parties, including other stakeholders like traditional rulers and diasporan Ekiti to build a virile and economically buoyant State.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the APC Presidential flagbearer, Tinubu, to change the current economic and security problems that had consumed many Nigerians.
“Tinubu brought about meaningful changes when he was Governor of Lagos state. He solved transport problem, he is a developer, so if he can emerge the president of Nigeria, he would surely solve the current challenges”.
Receiving the defectors, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Afuye, expressed joy that those who were formerly members of the APC in Ikere are back into the fold, promising that the party will accord them equal opportunitiea as old members.
Mrs Afuye, represented by her Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Victor Adeniyi, charged the defectors to work for the success of APC candidates in 2023, saying the present administration is incurably committed to putting smile on the faces of youths, farmers and young graduates .
She said that the six -point agenda of Governor Oyebanji was carefully crafted to put Ekiti on a pedestal of meaningful growth, economic advancement and prosperity .
“Ekiti is our Jerusalem, please join hands to make the state great. I am appealing to those who are still in opposition parties to please and please join the APC moving train.
“The present administration will do everything possible to make the people happy. Our plans, programmes and policies will be tailored towards rapid Ekiti’s development and all of us shall benefit”.