Disappointed by the alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the 2019 elections in the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , over 300 members of the party on Friday defected to the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state.
The defectors, led by Hons Emmanuel Ogunlayi and Stephen Mosele, said they were also fascinated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s impressive performances at the centre, saying this necessitated their change of political platform to APC.
Part of what the defectors cited as being responsible for their actions was the alleged dictatorial tendencies of the leadership of the party, whom they accused of imposing candidates and oppressing those perceived as opposition in a party that belongs to all of them.
The former PDP members defected at Ire Ekiti Wards I and II in Oye Local Government area of Ekiti State through the instrumentality of the former Federal Lawmaker and aspirant to the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, who hails from the town.
Speaking at the rally where the defectors were formally received to the party, Daramola and the State APC Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso, said the decampees will enjoy the same privileges as the old members.
Daramola said the defection will boost his chances of clinching the ticket to re-contest for the National Assembly seat during the party’s primary slated for October 3.
“You can see that good things are happening in Ekiti APC and this was as a result of my ambition for the House of Representatives. I am recontesting based on my records and reputation in APC and it is on these bases that I want to be judged.
“They knew what I did in my first term. I built a 32-bed hospital in this town among other things I did for my constituents. APC knew the value of having a ranking lawmaker in Abuja. They knew the value of having a qualitative legislator who can complement Dr Kayode Fayemi here, because the expectations of our people are daunting.
“My contesting is not to acquire power and wealth, but to consolidate democratic gains for my people. Within six months Fayemi is sworn-in, the euphoria of inauguration will be over and people will expect gains from government and this makes it necessary for us to have those who can complement his efforts and that I know I am qualified of
achieving if given the chance”, he said.
Daramola assured that he would protect the defectors and ensure that they are not sidelined in the scheme of things in APC.
The APC State Chairman, Omotoso , who was accompanied by members of the State Working Committee said: “This is a good omen ahead of 2019. We thank God for delivering us from Governor Ayodele Fayose in the July 14 governorship poll, that accounted for the benefit we are enjoying today.
“In APC, there are no new and old members, we are all one. No discrimination. Whatever that is due for those that have been here before will be due to you. We operate like one indivisible family”.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Stephen Mosele promised that they would add value to APC by ensuring that President Buhari and other contestants win during the 2019 election.
“PDP has disappointed us, it is been controlled by one man. The voices of members are no longer recognized. Their contributions mean nothing to the power that be and such party is bound to collapse as we are witnessing”, he added.
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