Approximately 200 card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state’s Efon Local Government Area have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was present on Monday to welcome them. Local government elections in Ekiti State will take place on December 2nd.
Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Femi Ige, former PDP Women Leader in the local Government Lucia Adetunji, and PDP House of Assembly Candidate Pastor Stephen Olusola were among the decampees welcomed at the APC Party Secretariat in the local government.
At the APC secretariat in Efon Alaaye, Governor Oyebanji welcomed and congratulated the decampees on their decision to join the ruling party, assuring them that they would not look back on their decision.
The Governor reassured them that the APC will offer equal opportunities and benefits for both old and new members, noting that the party doors were still open for others to join, and described many of the decampees as leaders and dependable PDP members.
The Governor urged all APC members to stick together to advance the state’s progress while urging current party members to welcome the decampees with open arms.
“Those of you who are arriving now are taking a chance. The people who are still considering joining the APC would be curious to know what will happen to them. Others will attend if the party treats them nicely. Therefore, I beg our party members to remember that these individuals were leaders in their previous organisations and that they must continue to exercise that leadership.
Pastor Stephen Olusola, speaking on behalf of the decampees, said that the Governor’s strong leadership style and outstanding performance were key factors in their decision to join the APC. He added that the Governor’s accomplishments in less than a year in office were enormous.
Olusola promised the governor and the APC leadership their utmost support and loyalty, and he also said that a sizable number of other PDP members will soon switch allegiances to the APC.
