A former state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Hon Ebenezer Alabi, has resigned his membership of the party just as some leaders of the main opposition party defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a letter addressed to the Ward 11 chairman of the PDP in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, Alabi said he decided after wide consultations with his family members, political associates, friends, and followers.
Alabi, former Chairman of PDP and Akure North local government in his letter of resignation dated July 18, 2024, he cannot co-habit with some political leaders whose aim is to make financial fortunes at every cycle of election in the state.
It read “The large chunk of money sent for mobilization during the past general elections ended up in the private pockets of these leaders at the detriment of the party’s victory. Some of them found it easy to extort money from many aspirants during primary elections and ended up allocating delegates’ votes to them in the proportion of amounts coerced to cough out.
“The overall success of the party is none of their concern, in as much as their aggrandizement is satisfied. Unfortunately, the depressing reality is that I have yet to notice any radical departure from this ugly trend, hence my decision to quit in order not to be part of further political misfortunes.
“As I take a final bow today, let me use this medium to express my deep appreciation to you and all other party members for their support, respect, and cooperation accorded me for the past 21 years.”
The backbone of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State suffered a fracture on Wednesday as leaders of the party announced their departure from the party ahead of the November governorship election in the State.”
Similarly, some PDP leaders led by former Commissioner for Environment, Mr Lebi Adepiti, and former Chairman of the state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and State Vice Chairman of the PDP in the Southern Senatorial District, Prince Debo Ajimuda, decamped to the ruling APC.
The PDP leaders during their visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said their decision to join the APC was hinged on their interest in supporting the Governor in the next election.
The decampees also included former political office holders at the state and local government levels, as well as local government and ward officers of the PDP in Ilaje Constituency 1 and Constituency 2.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Adepiti stated their commitment to mobilising support for Governor Aiyedatiwa in Ilaje and its environs ahead of the coming governorship election.
His words “We are committed to supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa out of our own free will. We recognize his strong performance since he became governor and we believe in standing by our brother rather than seeking alternatives.
“We believe it is our duty as brothers to unite with him and advance the State. The PDP no longer exists in Ilaje local government. Our ward executives, members, women leaders, councillors, and supervisors are all committed to the Aiyedatiwa project. We are ready for APC, we are ready to work for you.”
Prince Debo Ajimuda praised Governor Aiyedatiwa as a determined leader and requested an enabling environment for the decampees to mobilize more grassroots support ahead of the election.
The State Chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who welcomed the new members into the party, promised to support their official decamping ceremony. He stressed that the APC does not discriminate as all members would be given a level playing field.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed his gratitude for their decision to join the APC and support his campaign, describing it as a strong indication of the Ilaje people’s solidarity with him.
The Governor assured the new members that they would retain their leadership roles within the APC, reflecting their positions in the former party.
Promising inclusive participation, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the new members would not be marginalized but would enjoy the benefits and opportunities within the APC.
