Ahead of the November governorship election in Ondo State, leaders and members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in their numbers yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Receiving the defectors, the state chairman of the Ondo APC, Ade Adetimehin, said the remaining political heavyweights in the PDP have joined the progressive family.

While emphasising that the PDP was in carcass in the state, Adetimehin assured the defectors that they would be treated equally in the APC.

According to him, “We just received the remaining pillars in the Ondo PDP. The PDP is now a carcass in Ondo State. In the Ondo APC, the party and the government are one. We work together in one accord. Having come to APC, there is no founder, no joiner. We will treat you equally in our wards and local government. Come and display your capacity in the APC.”

Among the defectors was a former House of Representatives candidate, Dare Aliu. Dr. Felder Olatunji, Olu Falolu, Hon. Anodele Ikumawoyi, Pastor Olatunde Felix, Chief Pius Akinrinmola, Hon. Isaac Olaleye, Alhaji Adebayo Oyewumi, Yele Akinya, Akinmoye Ajewole, and Adegborioye Sunday.

Others were Chief Ayekomilogboa Tayo, Mrs. Toyin Akindele, Com. Akinmade Babatunde, Mrs. Taju Mopinola, Tonu Ala, Deputy Leader of the PDP Leader’s Forum, Hon. Dele Faboro, Comrade Ajisafe Omobumi, Olusegun Samuel, Adeyeye Michael, Adermola Elegbe, Jimoh Ibrahim, Adeolu Adeniran, Comrade Femi, and Rotimi Akindejoye, among others.

A former PDP lawmaker, Tomide Akinribido, said that with the move, it would be a total victory for the APC in the November governorship polls.

He said: “We will work to ensure victory. It is a landslide victory in Ondo West. I will promote cohesion within the party. We will work and cooperate with our leaders. We will work according to the dictates of the party.”

Chief Tony Ala said the APC would win the polls with over 700,000 votes.

“Akure is APC; APC is Akure. You will see change in Akure South. APC has blessed us in Akure.”

Aliu said he joined the APC despite the economic hardship because he knew prosperity would soon come to the country.