With the music of discord playing silently within the All Progressive Party(APC) in Ogun State, it may be impossible to determine what effects this may have on the chances of the party come 2023. Though some had dismissed as nothing and that is normal for a large party like the ruling party to have rebels within, but such do not determine success of party at the election time.
But just yesterday, no fewer than 234 members of the party across levels within the state decamped to the opposition party- PDP. The calibre of those who decamped if by any means should be a concern to the party. Majority of the formers APC members who decamped were not just ordinary members at the grassroot but these by majority include former local government administrators in Ogun State.
The breakdown of former APC members who had now pitched their tents with PDP allegedly include
e former Vice Chairmen, Councillors, and Secretaries to the Local Government (SLG) with a strong mission to team with the opposition so as wrestle power from the APC. A further analysis showed that 24 of them were former Chairmen in their local governments and LCDAs where the remaining 200 had beam member of local government legislators at a point in time and the remaining 10 had served as Secretary to the Local government.
While receiving the former APC members to the PDP fold, a party aspiring governorship candidate in Ogun, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, gave assurance that their interest will be protected in the scheme of things as PDP members in Ogun.. Ladi Adebutu also promise “There will be equity and level-playing ground for all”
Ladi Adebutu, also believed PDP has the structure and it is a party to beat in the 2023 election so it is a wise decision to join the winning party ahead of time. As much Mr Adebutu is sure of victory, he also believed “it will be a collective victory and no one will be able to work alone in the race. He therefore charged the new party members to work with one heart towards ensuring a resounding victory for the party so the people of the state can enjoy dividends of democracy like good health and speedy development across board”.
At the venue of the welcoming ceremony was also the PDP deputy governorship candidate hopeful, Hon Adekunle Akinlade. Akingbade conveyed his confidence that PDP “will take over the state administration by 2023
To Akinlade, with the kind right forces by pulled together by the parrty the handwriting is clear on the wall that “PDP will oust the ruling party and reset the Gateway State towards the right path.”
The Chairman of PDP at the state level, Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele, who was also present welcomed the new 234 decampees to the PDP, assured none of them will regret their decisions to join the party as this present moment.
Speaking on behalf of the new members from APC In their separate remarks, Hon. Sogo Akinde, Hon. Arowosegbe Rasaq, Hon. Oyedele Azeez, Hon. Femi Olumide Lijadu, Hon. Emmanuel Olayinka and others promised to work for the victory of the party in 2023.
It will be recalled that Adebutu used to be a major member of APC. But personal decisions and internal squabbles as well as solid party disciplines had caused divergent voices to emerge. For this, since then things keep falling apart and centre cannot hold
