LG Poll: Oyebanji, APC Leaders Welcome PDP Defectors in Ekiti

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ahead of the December 2 local government elections in Ekiti State, the state Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, last Monday joined the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Omotoso , and other prominent leaders of the party to welcome about  200 card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Efon Local Government Area of the state who officially defected to the APC.

The defectors received at the APC secretariat in the local government area included former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Femi Ige; former PDP Women Leader in the LGA, Hon. Lucia Adetunji, and the PDP House of Assembly candidate in the last Assembly poll, Stephen Olusola, among others.

Receiving them at the APC secretariat in Efon Alaaye, Governor Oyebanji welcomed and congratulated them for joining the ruling party with an assurance that they would not regret their action.

Describing many of them as leaders and solid members of the PDP, the governor assured them that the APC would provide equal opportunities and privileges for both old and new members, adding that the party’s doors are still open for others to join.

While calling on existing APC members to welcome them with open arms, he enjoined all members of the party to remain united in order to continue to move the wheel of progress of the state forward.

“Those of you coming now are taking a risk. The remaining ones who wish to join the APC will want to see what will happen to them. If the party treats them well others will come. So I implore our party members that these people were leaders where they are coming from and that they must sustain their leadership,” the governor asserted.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Olusola attributed their decisions to join APC to the good leadership style and excellent performance of the governor, adding that the achievement of the governor in less than one year in office is monumental.

While assuring the governor and the leadership of APC of their maximum support and loyalty, Olusola added that many other PDP members in their large numbers would soon join the APC.