PDP Suffers Mass Defection Of Members To APC

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered fresh defection of 300 of its members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State on Friday.

The defections, it was learnt, arose from alleged planned imposition of candidates for elective positions in the party in the 2019 general elections.

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The aggrieved PDP members were reportedly led to the ruling APC by Honourables Emmanuel Ogunlayi and Stephen Mosele, both members of the opposition party.

The defectors, who are PDP members at Ward I and II in Oye LGA in the state, were said to have been persuaded to join the APC by House of Representatives member, Hon Bimbo Daramola, who is seeking re-election into office.

Daramola said, “You can see that good things are happening in Ekiti APC and this was as a result of my ambition for the House of Representatives. I am recontesting based on my records and reputation in APC and it is on these bases that I want to be judged.

“They knew what I did in my first term. I built a 32-bed hospital in this town among other things I did for my constituents. APC knew the value of having a ranking lawmaker in Abuja. They knew the value of having a qualitative legislator who can complement Dr Kayode Fayemi here, because the expectations of our people are daunting.

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“My contesting is not to acquire power and wealth, but to consolidate democratic gains for my people. Within six months Fayemi is sworn-in, the euphoria of inauguration will be over and people will expect gains from government and this makes it necessary for us to have those who can complement his efforts and that I know I am qualified of achieving if given the chance”, he said.

Receiving the PDP defectors, the Ekiti State Chairman of the APC, Paul Omotoso, said: “This is a good omen ahead of 2019. We thank God for delivering us from Governor Ayodele Fayose in the July 14 governorship poll, that accounted for the benefit we are enjoying today.

“In APC, there are no new and old members, we are all one. No discrimination. Whatever that is due for those that have been here before will be due to you. We operate like one indivisible family”.

Meanwhile, Hon Stephen Mosele, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, expressed disappointment in the leadership of the PDP in Ekiti.

Mosele said, “PDP has disappointed us, it is been controlled by one man. The voices of members are no longer recognized. Their contributions mean nothing to the power that be and such party is bound to collapse as we are witnessing.”

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