Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State on Tuesday defected to the African Democratic Congress.
The defectors, led by Tunji Ogunrinu, were received by officials of the Omoluabi Progressives, a political group backed by the National Secretary of the ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
In a statement signed by the Publicity and Organising Secretary of the Omoluabi Progressives, Oluwaseun Abosede, Ogunrinu said their exit from the PDP was due to poor internal management and the party’s alleged failure to reward loyal members.
“The decision to part ways with the PDP was not taken lightly but was borne out of dissatisfaction with poor internal management of the ruling party and the failure to reward loyalty among its members,” Ogunrinu said.
Another defector, Abdulganiyu Akeem, speaking on behalf of the group, added, “People of Osun deserve better governance. It is time for citizens to ‘arise and shine,’ rather than continue with suffering and smiling.”
Former Osun State House of Assembly member representing Ayedire Constituency, Gbenga Ogunkanmi, who facilitated the defection, described the new members as political heavyweights and grassroots mobilisers whose presence would strengthen the ADC in the state.
Welcoming them, the Chairman of Omoluabi Progressives, Azeez Adesiji, assured the defectors of full integration into the party’s structures.
Reacting, however, the spokesperson for the PDP in Osun, Oladele Bamiji, dismissed the development, insisting the defectors were unknown to the party.
“We don’t know those that defected. They are unknown to us. Genuine party members know how to address their grievances,” Bamiji said, stressing that the PDP remained strong with solid grassroots presence across the state