Ondo Guber: Victory is certain despite our members defections to APC, says PDP

The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the defection of some of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not affect the chances of the party in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State.

While disclosing that the party is unmoved by the development during the inauguration of the newly constituted caretaker committee of the party in Akure, the state capital, the South-West Zonal Vice Chairman of the party, Kamoru Ajisafe, urged the members to be steadfast in their support for the party.

He said: “Don’t be discouraged by the news of some big names or some people leaving your party for another. When we started in Osun State, a lot of big men deserted us. The big names that are bigger than the ones you’re hearing in your state. But today, the story has changed.

APC/PDP flags

“Those that are leaving now have left a long time ago. So, now that they know that we can no longer absolve them of their shenanigans, they are now leaving. We have the majority of their followers with us. Their leaving is very inconsequential.”

Ajisafe, who noted that the people of the state will not allow manipulation of election results, said that “with everyone’s cooperation, we are winning all the way. Ondo will fall into the hands of the PDP.

“Don’t be discouraged by the news that some people are not with us or are leaving us. Once God is with us, Ondo will fall into the hands of the 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.

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“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 will not do anything to truncate this democracy. What I am saying is that direct falsification of results will not come up.”

On his part, the governorship candidate of the party, Agboola Ajayi, said that “the masses in the state would not forgive the PDP if the party failed to win the forthcoming poll.”

Ajayi, who said he is battle-ready for the task ahead, assured the leadership of the party in the zone that the PDP will form the next government in the state.

He said that “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 for the opposition PDP every day. 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 we will take good care of them when we assume office and tell them that this is our state.”

The newly inaugurated caretaker members include the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bakkita Bello, 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 include 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.