Mimiko Re-joins PDP For The Third Time After Closed-door Meeting With Four PDP Governors

As the gale of defection continues to herald the 2023 general elections, former governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has re-joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for the third time.

This came after several hours of meeting with four governors on the platform of the PDP led by the chairman of the party’s Governors Forum and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

Mimiko is defecting to the PDP after leaving the party in 2019 to form the Labour Party, LP, which later changed to Zenith Labour Party ZLP.

The four governors who visited Mimiko include Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Tambuwal.

His defection is coming less than 24 hours to the National Convention of the PDP, even as there is heightened anxiety following a deferment of ruling in the suit filed to stop the convention at the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt Division to Friday.

A statement issued after the meeting with the ZLP leaders and supporters at Mimiko’ s Ondo country home by the party state chairman, Hon Joseph Akinlaja said, “Stakeholders of the party from across the 18 Local Government areas of Ondo State have resolved to join the Peoples Democratic Party PDP after a meeting held at the residence of the party’s national leader, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, in Ondo on Wednesday.

Akinlaja said that ” the meeting which has Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, his running mate, Gboye Adegbenro, former speaker, Jumoke Akindele, the state chairman of the party, Hon Joseph Akinlaja among other leaders in attendance resolved after deliberations to pitch their tent with the Peoples Democratic Party to rescue the country from the misrule of the APC and set her on a path of peace and progress for the benefit of all.”

He noted that, “The meeting followed an earlier visit by four PDP governors led by chairman of their forum, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State. Okezie Ikpeazu, Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde who had told the press after their meeting with Mimiko that they are in Ondo to invite Mimiko and his teeming supporters in the ZLP to the PDP.

“The stakeholders meeting was called to discuss the meeting with the PDP governors and intimate members with the outcomes of series of interactions with PDP leaders on the invitation extended to him.

“Mimiko told the stakeholders that the ZLP is being invited to join the PDP to rescue the country from the brink of insecurity.

Stakeholders appraised developments across the nation and agreed that the PDP is the most viable platform to work with to be able to work towards winning future elections in the State and in the country as a whole.

“Mimiko had earlier told members that leaders of the PDP have shown demonstrable commitment to fully integrate all willing joiners from the ZLP and accord them full membership rights in what promises to be a win for PDP members and Nigerians alike.

“After detailed deliberations by leaders across Local Government Areas, Hon Akinlaja, the State Chairman, asked that a motion moved for members of the ZLP in Ondo State to join the PDP be put to vote to which all present voted yes by popular acclamation.”

Present to receive the four governors include Mimiko’s wife, Olukemi, former deputy governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, three members of the Ondo state house of assembly, Rasheed Elegbeleye, Tomide Akinribido, Festus Akingbaso, former speaker, Jumoke Akindele, former chief Judge, Olaseinde Kumuyi and deputy governorship Candidate of ZLP in the 2020 election, Gboye Adegbenro and state chairman of the PDP, Fatai Adams, his predecessor, Clement Faboyede, Ondo ZLP Chairman, Joseph Akinlaja among other leaders of the ZLP.