Four members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, including the newly elected Speaker have decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers are: the new Speaker, Bamidele Oleyeloogun; Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji; former Deputy Speaker, Ayodeji Arowele and Segun Ajimotokin.
Speaking to reporters at the Governor’s office in Akure, the state’s capital, Honourable Oleyeloogun informed that the remaining PDP members of the Assembly will soon join the ruling party.
He assured the people of Ondo State that the lawmakers are ready to work with the executive arm of government to move the state forward.
“We are here to signify our intention to join the ruling party, the APC. The remaining ceremony will be carried out on the floor of the House of Assembly, but let me give you the assurance that our remaining colleagues are also on their way coming to this ruling party.
” I’m giving the people of Ondo, the assurance that all necessary things to be carried out in this state will be done when needed. I assure you that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is ready to work for the state and the legislative arm of government is ready to support him,” the Speaker said.
Dividends Of Democracy
Honourable Ogundeji, on his part, said the decision of the lawmakers to defect to APC was based on the fact that it is the platform where people of the state can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“Our intention to decamp to the ruling party is not because of any other thing, but because of the fact that we know that it is only APC that can deliver the good dividends of democracy to our people.
“The interest of all of us here is the interest of the people that voted us into office, we don’t have any interest that we are representing here other than the interest of the people of Ondo State.
“The party that the people of Ondo State want is the APC and we believe that the only party that we can belong to that can make the dividends of democracy get to the people of Ondo State is the APC,” the Deputy Speaker explained.
The Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Ifedayo Abegunde, who received the defectors into the APC, pointed out that the development was in the best interest of the state.
“This is a welcome development and is a signal that APC is increasing in number and we are getting popular, and this I believe and I’m sure will translate to good governance in Ondo State.
“The more we are, the more confident our Governor is going to be, and the more we will be able to move Ondo State forward. I did this on behalf of my Governor, Olurotimi Akeredolu,” he said.
With the defection, the number of APC members in the House has risen to nine, while the remaining 17 members belong to the PDP.
