Palpable tension enveloped the Oyo state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday as leaders and members of five popular groups within its camp abandoned the ruling party for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections billed for this Saturday.
There has been intense horse-trading between the PDP and APC in recent times in Oyo state as the two major political parties engage themselves in a superiority battle especially as the next phase of the 2023 general election draws closer and despite the outcome of the presidential and national assembly elections of February 25 which favoured the APC more than the ruling PDP and other popular parties in the state such as Accord, SDP, LP, and NNPP.
Among the different pro-PDP groups which mobilized their respective members to the Oke-Ado Secretariat of Oyo APC on Monday for formal defection and official declaration of support for the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Teslim Folarin is; Omititun Youth Vanguard led by Comrade Sanyaolu Adeyemo, GSM Marines under being coordinated by Comrade Yemi Oyebamiji, All Youth Grand Alliance under the leadership of Isamotu Twins, IBK Vanguard of Mr Ibukun Olu-Afolabi and another group led by Comrade Afolami Afolabi.
Speakers from each of the groups did not mince words to express regret for supporting Gov. Makinde before, during, and after the 2019 election which enabled him to emerge as the executive governor of the state in 2019. They also added that quit the PDP when it was clear that a better alternative existed in the APC which has retained power at the centre and has been positioned to dislodge the incumbent PDP government from office through democratic means this Saturday.
While welcoming the defectors; the state chairman of the APC, Hon. Isaac Omodewu, eulogized them for taking the bold step “by jumping out of the sinking PDP boat at the time and also for identifying the APC as the right alternative. Oyo APC is Noah’s ark of our contemporary Nigeria and anyone who looks away from the broom party is doing himself a lot of harm than good. We have found that your respective groups are populated by more than seven thousand people and we are using this medium to encourage you to use your strength in favour of the APC come Saturday.
Also speaking at the event; the state secretary of the APC, Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite, and vice chairman (Oyo Central), Hon. (Dr.) charged the new members of the APC to put the memory of whatever they went through in the PDP behind them and focus their attention on the massive mobilization of the good people of the state to vote the candidates of the APC in this Saturday election promising them that all their desires would be met in the government of the broom party at the centre and in the state if elected.
Oyo APC chieftains present at the event include; Alh. Olalekan Busari, Mrs. Taiwo Moteleola, Princess Adenike Adebowale, and Olawale Sadare. Also, among those who led the defectors are; Mr Adedayo Ojo, Engr. Festus Adefemi, Comrade Olayiwola Adesanmi, Mrs Tosin Oladokun, Comrade Wale Popoola, Mr Lanre Yusuff, Mr Abiodun Abdullahi, Taiwo Adedeji and Adesola Musibau.
