Ondo Guber: PDP, APC bicker over defection of Mimiko’s associates, loyalists

The recent defection of associates and loyalists of former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has led to disputes between the two parties in the state.

With the PDP describing the defectors as a political virus, it stated that the defection was a blessing in disguise for the party.

The APC, on its part, stressed that the action of the ex-governor’s political associates was a pointer to the performance of the ruling party in the state.

No fewer than 29 loyalists of Mimiko, who had served as former House of Representatives members, Speaker, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Chief Press Secretary, among others, moved to the APC a few days ago, stressing that the PDP was not in good stead to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

According to the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, anybody who has diligently followed Ondo State politics since 2007 will appreciate that there is nothing to all the hype about the celebrated defections.

He said,”Those defecting used Mimiko’s name as cover, which has attracted the most scathing attacks and uncomplimentary remarks on the personality of the former governor, at least on social media.

“I just wonder why they did not use their names, since they claimed to be big names, instead of bringing the former governor into this controversy.

“In 2014, Mimiko decided to join the PDP with all his commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, two senators, eight House of Representatives members, 25 Ondo State House of Assembly members, and all the political appointees.

“The entire government apparatus was collapsed into the PDP. Former President Goodluck Jonathan believed that, with the LP joining the PDP in the state, the APC stood no chance in the 2015 general election (especially presidential, which was his interest). But here are the results of the 2015 Presidential Election: The PDP polled 251,368 votes (44.80%), and the APC polled 299,889 votes (53.45%).

“Things did not get better for the PDP in the 2016 governorship election. The PDP won in only two of the eighteen local governments; that was how a minority party inherited the reins of power by default.”

On his part, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC, Mr Steve Otaloro, said the defectors are not “transactional” or “flimsy,” but rather, they are individuals who recognise the progress made under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

“The PDP’s criticism of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s financial management is unfounded. The state’s internally generated revenue has increased, and the governor has prioritised spending on critical areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

“The abandoned road projects mentioned by the PDP were false claims, as work is progressing on all the ongoing projects in the state, except they’re ignorant of this or playing politics of bitterness not to admit it.”