Several former leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, citing dissatisfaction with the APC’s leadership and direction.
The defectors, including prominent figures from all 30 local government areas and the Area Office, released a joint statement on Friday, detailing their reasons for the mass defection.
The group, which commended the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke for its positive changes in the state, expressed their disenchantment with the APC, describing the party as unfocused, unpopular, and disconnected from the people’s needs.
They also referenced a recent survey by the Democracy Polling Agency, which indicated that 45% of a faction of the APC had joined the PDP, a finding they confirmed as accurate, according to Nigerian Tribune.
The former APC leaders emphasized that they were warmly received by long-standing PDP members and were now united in the effort to continue building a better Osun State.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Governor Adeleke’s re-election, noting the ongoing improvements in the state under his leadership.
In their statement, the defectors made it clear that they had left the APC due to what they described as the party’s failure to meet the expectations of the people, contrasting the previous administration’s shortcomings with the progress made by the current PDP government. They expressed a desire to be part of the success story that the PDP is building in Osun.
The group also clarified that their move to the PDP was not a result of any internal conflicts with the party but rather a decision based on their desire to support the positive changes underway in the state. They highlighted that their defection was part of a larger trend, with more APC members continuing to join the PDP, particularly from the Ileri Oluwa faction.
The statement was signed by Hon. Oluomo Owolabi, Chief Rami Akande Odedele, Oyemade George Opeoluwa, Hon. Debo Asaolu, Hon. Niyi Oyeleye, Hon. Olagoke Afolayan, Hon. Tajudeen Lawal Augustine, Dr. Isiaka Akande, Alhaja Idaya Fanta, and other notable figures.
The statement reads, “We decide to issue this statement following controversy generated by a survey report from the Democracy Polling Agency which affirmed that 45 percent of a faction of the APC have defected to the PDP.
“We want to confirm that many of us were interviewed by the researchers who asked several questions from us. Many of us across the local governments were interviewed. When we saw the report, we knew it reflected our position.
“We left APC because the party has become unfocused, unpopular, anti-people, vendetta driven and unelectable. We left the APC because we want to be part of good things happening in our state. We are glad Governor Ademola Adeleke has turned around the fortunes of Osun state for the better.
“We don’t want to be part of the failure of the past. Osun’s government failed in the past under APC and we now have a government of PDP that is doing the bidding and aspirations of the people. We decided to be part of the success story.
“We also want to clarify that we have no problem with old members we met on the ground in the PDP. They are wonderful host and we are joining hands to build a better state. As new members, our goal is to ensure the re-election of Mr Governor. We want the good work to continue.
“To the APC, we are real leaders from across the local governments who left your party for PDP. We put our names on this statement so the public can know we are real.
“We can assert that more than 50 percent of Ileri Oluwa APC have left for PDP. More APC members are joining the APC. It is a continuous exercise”, the statement concluded.
