The member of the House of Representatives for Idanre/Ifedore Constituency,  Festus Akingbaso, who was also the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 election, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The teeming supporters and loyalists of Akingbaso also defected along with him at the event held in Idanre on Thursday.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, to receive the defectors into the APC fold, eulogized Akingbaso for the decision.

Adelami described the defection as “divinely ordained” as it coincided with the Court of Appeal judgement affirming the election of Governor Aiyedatiwa in 2024.

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The chairman of APC in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, said Idanre and Ifedore are now for APC, with the defection of the federal lawmaker and his supporters.

Adetimehin called on the people to support President Bola Tinubu in his Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at bringing succor to the common man.

Addressing the gathering, Akingbaso thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for providing purposeful leadership and prioritising the welfare of the people of the state.

He noted that he decided to join the APC to support the governor in bringing governance closer to the grassroots.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Kola Ademujimi, Chief of Staff to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu’s administration.

Ademujimi equally commended Governor Ayedatiwa’s giant strides in every sector of the state.

He pledged the full support of the Idanre and Ifedore for the governor and the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027.