As the political parties harvest members of one another in series of cross carpeting ahead if the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) South-West, Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe has dismissed as inconsequential the defection of some bigwigs from the party.
He made the remark on Monday during the inauguration of the newly constituted State Caretaker Committee of the party at the party’s Secretariat at Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital.
The Southwest leader of the party noted that PDP is not bothered by the defection, alluding to similar incidents in Osun State before the gubernatorial election.
He said the party eventually won the election despite the defection of prominent members of the party to another party.
Ajisafe said: “Don’t be discouraged with the news of some big names or some people leaving your party to another. When we started in Osun State, a lot of big men deserted us. The big names that are bigger than the one you’re hearing in your State. But today , the story has changed.
“Those who are leaving now have left a long time ago. So, it is now that they know that we can no longer absolve their shenanigans that they are now leaving. We have the majority of their followers with us. Their leaving is very inconsequential.”
Expressing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the SouthWest chairman said the president would not do anything that would truncate the democratic system in the country.
Besides, he said the people of Ondo State are known for their resilience in pursuit of their desired goals particularly in choosing who to give their mandate to and would not condone any form of manipulation.
Ajisafe said “With every one cooperation, we are winning all the way. Ondo will fall into the hand of the PDP. Don’t be discouraged with the news that some people are not with us or are leaving us. Once God is with us, Ondo will fall into the hand of PDP. We are all on the same page and all hands are on deck to make sure that we take over the governance of the state.
“Not even now that we know the level of poverty in the country. I wouldn’t want to believe that anybody would want to vote for APC this time. I trust President Bola Tinubu that he would not do anything to truncate this democracy. What I am saying is that direct falsification of results will not come up. You know the history of Ondo State when it comes to the manipulation of election results . The people will not take it.”
In his comment at the event, the candidate of the party in the November 16, 2024 governorship poll, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, said the people of the state would not forgive PDP if the party failed to win the forthcoming election.
Ajayi therefore assured the people of the state and leadership of the party in the zone that PDP would occupy the Governor’s Office in February 2025.
According to him, “When some people are leaving the party, more and more are still coming. You will agree with me that since 1999, this will be the first time people will be leaving a ruling party to the opposition PDP everyday. Currently, there is no APC in Ese-Odo local government again.
“The same thing is also going on in Akoko. So, if anybody is leaving PDP, maybe they are just trying to exercise their rights.
“No man is God. We will not forget that they have served this state at a time and take good care of them when we assume office and tell them that this is our state.”
The caretaker committee inaugurated is led by former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, :Rt. Hon. Bakkita Olufowobi Bello.
Other members of the committee are Hon. Tola Alabere, Hon. Dayo Awude, Hon. Bobby Omotosho, Fadope Amos Oniosayo, Olawumi Owolabi Fasonu, Barr. Moses Awofade, Boluwaji Bamidele and Hon. Kennedy Peretei .
Others are :Adebayo Abiodun Ibrahim , Engr. Dare Akinwale , Hon. Mrs. Kemisola Adesanya, Hon. Babatunde Daudu , Mrs. Stella Titilayo Ojo , Mrs. Folasade Ogunmakinwa , Mr. Lawrence Awogun , Mrs. Omotolani Hassan , Oluseye Judes Olujimi and Mrs Caroline Akinsete.
