All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday boosted its strength in Ondo State as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa received a former chieftain of Labour Party, Dayo Awude, and some some politicians from other political parties to the party.
Governor Aiyedatiwa formally received Awude and his supporters to APC at the Town Hall, Akure, the state capital.
Leaders of various political parties, including Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) were also received by the governor to APC.
Awude, a former Commissioner and former State Vice Chairman of the PDP, is known grassroots politician in the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa congratulated the defectors on the platform of Sunshine Grassroots Network describing their decisions to join the ruling party in the state as wise.
Aiyedatiwa said: “In Ondo State, there is no room for coalition, it is one APC. People join political parties for different reasons, but the interest of the party must always supersede every other interest, and for us in the APC, that interest is to retain power.”
The governor stated that there indices of good governance under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level and his own administration in Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa said: “The whole of Ondo State is for President Tinubu come 2027, and the decision of these defectors to join us today is a strong step towards that goal. Joining our party is an assurance that we will do greater numbers and further strengthen the APC ahead of the presidential election.”
Awude announced his defection to the APC, citing his alignment with the progressive ideals and developmental agenda of the current administration.
He said: “I have joined the APC to add value, and I assure Mr. Governor that he will see it. I urge all our party faithful to return to their units and wards to fully integrate themselves.
“I am here for progress to support President Bola Tinubu and to support the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
Awude commended the leadership style of Governor Aiyedatiwa, noting that it informed his decision to join forces with the administration.
He, therefore, pledged to work for the unity and success of the APC in Ondo State.
Another defector, Dele Ogunbameru, former Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), disclosed that he had faced numerous challenges in his former party.
He declared that he felt at home in the APC, adding that he joined the ruling party to contribute his wealth of experience and help move it forward.
The state Chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, described Awude as a man of capacity, noting that true political strength begins from the unit and extends to the ward.
He said: “Any politician who cannot deliver his unit and ward is not a politician. I urge all our new members to work towards strengthening the party at the grassroots.
“Therefore, on behalf of the National Chairman of our party, I want to formally welcome you into APC and I thereby hand you over to the Leader of our party in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”
Among chieftains of APC who attended the event are the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, member of the House of Representatives, representing the Akure North/Akure South, Hon. Derin Adesida, Akure South Local Government Chairman, Gbenga Fasua, Members of the State Executive Council, APC leaders, among others.