Ondo guber poll: Hundreds of APC members defect to SDP

Hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), a group within the party, have defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in the state.

According to the defectors, who hinged their decision on the resolve to support the aspiration of the party’s candidate, Bamidele Akingboye, stated that the SDP standard-bearer can turn the fortunes of the state around.

Director-General of the Bamidele Akingboye Campaign Organisation, Femi Ikoyi, while welcoming members of the group to SDP, yesterday, in Akure, assured the defectors of equal opportunities in the party.

Ikoyi said the group joining the party would boost the chances of the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election in the state.

“We are here today to support the governorship ambition of Bamidele Akingboye, the SDP governorship candidate for the November election,” he said.

“This group has done it before during the elections of both former governors of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) and the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC.

“We are assuring you today that we shall do the same for Bamidele Akingboye of the SDP,” he said.

Also, the state Chairman, Gbenga Akinbuli, while receiving the members of the PDM to the party, said he was happy that the party was gaining more members every day.

Akinbuli said with the support of the defectors, the victory of the candidate of the party was looking good and certain.

He said: “Today marks the end of the current governor, Aiyedatiwa’s tenure in the Alagbaka Government House.

“With the support of PDM members and the people of Ondo State who are currently experiencing hardship in the state, people will vote en-masse for Bamidele Akingboye.

“Once again, you are welcome to where you rightly belong, as we have a room big enough to contain you and those who are still coming to join the party.”