2019: Why Accord Loses Member to APC at Oyo Assembly

A member of Oyo State House of Assembly, elected under the platform of the Accord Party (AP) has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Announcing his defection on the floor of the House on Thursday prior to the presentation of the proposed 2018 appropriation bill by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to the Assembly, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji representing Akinyele State Constituency l cited the landmark achievements of the present administration in the state, as reason for his action.

Also justifying his defection, Oyebamiji blamed his action on the factional crisis within the party which he claimed has made his stay in the Accord Party extremely difficult. “Accord has been fractionalized and its leadership defected to the Peoples Democratic Party”.

Speaking further, the lawmaker under personal explanation titled ‘My transition from Accord to All Progressives Congress said, “I wish to state that the only permanent thing in life is change. The holy Bible says there is a time for everything on earth and a purpose for every action. There is dynamism, even in nature, hence nothing remains rigid in life.

“As a politician, a real politician, a natural and traditional politician, a scientific politician, I have the vision of contributing my own quota to the welfare and development of my people in my immediate and extended community.

“To realize this vision, I contested and won election into House of Assembly in 2015 under Accord. In the time of electioneering campaign, so many promises were made to the electorate. We promised infrastructural development, improved agricultural activities, improved education system, available and affordable healthcare services, job opportunities for the youths, women empowerment and women emancipation, improved economy activities which are beyond my singular effort to fulfill.

” When the 8th Assembly was inaugurated on June 10, 2015, Accord did not form the majority as you all know. Consequently, Accord has not been able to have significant impact on governance in the state. In the present dispensation, Accord has been fractionalized and its leadership defected to the Peoples Democratic Party as we are all aware.

Oyebamiji continued, “I have a dream. A dream to be useful to my people, a dream to transform the villages to town, the rural areas to urban. A dream for self actualization and self fulfilment. I need a place where the dream can come to past. I have, however come to realise that the present government in Oyo State, our pacesetter state ably led by our amiable, our father, the Koseleri of Africa, Governor Sen. Abiola Ajimobi who has delivered the dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State. There has been peace and security in all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State. The government is doing her possible best in the area of welfare of the people. There has been massive infrastructural development in all major cities.

“Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State has been given a facelift which has led to the attraction of foreign investors to the state. Mr. Speaker sir, all these landmark achievements incidentally align with my vision for joining politics. Hence, I have no option than to join the winning team.

” I therefore, wish to unequivocally declare for All Progressives Congress, APC. I belief this will afford me more opportunity to serve my people and the entire state”, he submitted.

Surprisingly, as the lawmaker announced his decampment, jubilation started in every nook and cranny of the House. With the defection, Oyo Assembly membership of All Progressives Congress, APC has now increased to 19 while the Accord Party, AP has 7 members and Labour Party, LP maintained its 6 members respectively