More than 1,000 members of an opposition party on Monday defected to the Accord Party as the campaign train of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, stormed Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government.
The defectors, led by Alhaji Kareem Afolabi, were formally received during a campaign rally attended by party supporters and leaders from across the local government.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Ademola Adeleke assured residents of his administration’s commitment to the development of Boripe, saying the local government had continued to benefit from his infrastructure drive.
The governor said his administration had constructed five roads in Iragbiji and promised to execute more projects if re-elected.
He urged residents to vote for the Accord Party in the August 15 governorship election to enable his administration to continue its developmental programmes.
Adeleke said, ” I love Iragbiji. I have commissioned roads in Iragbiji today, and I have constructed five roads here. You have not seen anything yet; we are going to do more. I want to tell you that, by August 15, by God’s grace, all the great works we have done will continue. Light has entered Boripe; let it continue. Vote Accord for the good work to continue.”
Also speaking, the Osun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Sunday Bisi, commended supporters in Boripe for turning out in large numbers for the rally.
He described the reception accorded to the governor as an indication of the party’s growing acceptance in the area.
Bisi also announced the defection of over 1,000 members into the party under the leadership of Alhaji Kareem Afolabi.
He said, “You will see that Ademola Adeleke has taken over Iragbiji. Finally, there is nothing left again. Today, we are receiving over 1,000 defectors who are joining our party, led by Alhaji Kareem Afolabi.”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Kareem Afolabi said they had dumped the APC to join Governor Adeleke’s party, declaring that they would not return to what he described as “darkness.”
He said the party would not allow its members to suffer and expressed confidence that members would reap the rewards of their labour.
Afolabi said, “Today, we have dumped the APC and joined the Light, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s party, Accord, and we shall never return to darkness. Accord is not a party that will allow its members to suffer, and we shall all reap the fruit of our labour.”
Earlier, the Boripe Local Government Imole Campaign Council, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Alhaji Abayomi Adegoke, commended Adeleke’s administration for implementing what it described as people-oriented policies and delivering infrastructural development, improved workers’ welfare, quality healthcare, education, and inclusive governance across the state.
The council said the people of Boripe remained grateful for the governor’s leadership and the developmental projects executed under his administration.
It added that residents were proud to identify with Adeleke’s vision of building a more prosperous, peaceful, and united Osun State.
The campaign council reaffirmed its loyalty and support for the governor, expressing confidence in his leadership and achievements while pledging that Boripe Local Government would deliver a resounding victory for the party in the August 15 governorship election.
