One of the leading aspirants and loyalist of Hon. Muraina Ajibola, member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Bosun Ibikunle has led no fewer than 1000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibarapa central and Ibarapa North federal constituency, Oyo.
Similarly, some of the aggrieved PDP members loyal to the said Hon. Muraina Ajibola have dumped him to reunite with the PDP.
All the new and old members of the PDP were received into the PDP fold at a ceremony which was held in Idere yesterday. They were received by the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja. The duo were represented by Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige alongside the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Seun Fakorede, PDP Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe who was represented by Hon. Jimoh Adisa and Hon. Hafiz Oladejo.
Others include Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate, Chief Bisi Ilaka represented by Prince Adebowale, former Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Funmilayo Orisadeyi, Hon. Anthony Adepoju PDP candidate for Ibarapa Central/North federal constituency, Oyo South Senatorial Chairman, Mr Gbade Ojelabi, Chief Sola Fakorede, Alhaji Monsuru Oduola, Hon. Salako Kolawole, Hon. Abdulateef Akorede among others.
While receiving the decampees into the party on behalf of the Governor, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige congratulated them for taking such decisions to pitch tent with the PDP, saying that the PDP is the only party that can satisfy the good governance and gives better lives that Nigerians are yearning for.
He stated that Governor Seyi Makinde has proved in the last three years beyond reasonable doubt that good governance is possible if the electorates can elect leaders that genuinely have the interest of the people at heart in the position of authority, adding that Makinde’s administration has become a yardstick for Nigerians to make a choice as 2023 general election approaches.
He assured both new entrants and old members of equal opportunities as PDP is a party that is discipline which doesn’t discriminate but rewards loyalty and hardworking accordingly.
Others who spoke in their remarks, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, Hon. Anthony Adepoju, Mrs Funmilayo Orisadeyi, Hon. Seun Fakorede and the party Chairman in Ibarapa central local government, Mr Gbade Akinlolu lauded Bosun Ibikunle and his supporters for taking the right step, stressing that the APC has dissapointed Nigerians and it has become a desert wherein every right thinking Nigerian is leaving to find solace in the PDP.
They expressed optimism that others who equally felt cheated in APC will soon join the PDP in Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Hon. Bosun Ibikunle said he and his supporters left the APC because they were deceived and cheated by
the party leaders in Ibarapa central and Ibarapa North federal constituency when they refused to give him the ticket to contest for the State House of Assembly election in 2023 without considering the fact that he had been a major financial of the party since 2019 in the said federal constituency.
He added that all his supporters directed him to decamp to the PDP with assurance to follow him en mass because only PDP will give them sense of belonging and youth participation in the scheme of things.
Leaders of the aggrieved members that reunited with the PDP include Pa Busari Tajudeen Vitalo, Pa Babarinde Adejare and Pa Okewole Okeniyi.
