HUNDREDS of Accord Members in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo state who are loyalists of Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, over the weekend dumped their party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The colourful event, held at the Saki West Town hall was witnessed by a large turnout of APC faithfuls and top government functionaries.
The decampees which came from each ward of Saki West Local Government were led into the APC by their leaders, in the persons of Hon. Jimoh West, Hon.Najeem Omirinde, Baba Jimoh Dogo, Alhaji Rafiu Ojolowo, and Alhaji Mutiu Sekoni.
In his address, the Chairman of APC in the council, Alhaji Ganiyu Oloba, expressed satisfaction that the party has attracted political titans in Saki West. He lauded the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who he said has done tremendously well in managing the affairs of not just the state, but the party as its leader. He added that the sagacious policies of his administration are noteworthy and will continue to attract people to the party.
Speaking further, Alhaji Oloba thanked Engr. Olaniyan, whose influence he said, has brought about the defection of major players of Accord in Saki West into the APC, while appreciating him for the role he played towards facilitating political peace in the council since he joined the APC.
Also, he noted that everyone is aware of the role the erstwhile OYSTROMA boss, Olaniyan played and support both financially and otherwise he gave Accord in Oke Ogun and beyond while he was a member of the party, assuring that he will do even more now, that he is in a bigger and stronger party.
He, therefore urged members to heartily welcome the new entrants to the party emphasising that with the likes of Hon. Jimoh West joining hands with APC, meant that Accord is officially pronounced dead in Saki West.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Hon. Jimoh West expressed appreciation over the warm reception given to him and other new entrants from Accord. He thanked Governor Ajimobi for making the party attractive to be a part of. Similarly, he commended his leader, Engr. Olaniyan, who he said they followed into the APC. He, however vowed to channel his resources to the victory and success of APC, not just in Saki West, but the entire Oke ogun region.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the party symbol ‘the broom’ to the representative of the new members, Hon. Jimoh West by Dr. Morunkola Thomas, the executive assistant to Governor Ajimobi on political matters, who represented the governor at the decamping ceremony. Among dignitaries who witnessed the epochal event were the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Musah Abdulwasi, Hon. Oseni Abudul Ganiyu, member Oyo State House of Assembly representing Olorunsogo state constituency.
Others include, Mr. Karimu Adegoke, Caretaker Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, and Dr. Isiaka Kolawole.
It will be recalled that supporters of Engr. Olaniyan across party lines numbering over a thousand decamped from Accord, SDP and PDP to APC in Ibadan North Local Government last week Wednesday. The defectors were received by the Local Government Party Executives led by its Chairperson, Alhaja Tinuade Adigun, the state party executives and some members of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
