No fewer than 150 members of the Accord Party in Ilie, Ward 11, Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The defectors were received by leaders of the APC at the party’s Ward 11 Secretariat in Ilie on Monday, where they also pledged support for the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of Olorunda Area Council and APC leader in Ilie, Hon. Felicia Omolaoye, described the defection as a sign of the growing acceptance of the APC and its governorship candidate across the state.
She said the decision of the former Accord Party youth leader and other stakeholders to join the APC reflected their confidence in Oyebamiji’s leadership qualities and expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious in the August 15 governorship election.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Olorunda Local Government, Hon. Kunle Kudayisi, said the increasing number of defections into the APC had further strengthened the party’s chances in the forthcoming election.
Kudayisi noted that similar defections were taking place across wards in Olorunda and other parts of the state, expressing confidence that the APC would record a landslide victory.
He urged party supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and focused on issue-based campaigns, stressing that the APC remained a disciplined party committed to a peaceful electoral process.
Former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Rasaki Adeosun, described the defection as a major boost to the APC’s governorship campaign.
Adeosun commended the defectors for joining the APC, saying they cited the need for a change in government and their confidence in the party’s governorship candidate as reasons for their decision.
The defection ceremony was attended by APC leaders and members from Olorunda Local Government and other parts of the state.
The defectors pledged to work for the victory of the APC and its governorship candidate in the August 15 election.
(Newtelegraph)
