Ogun Gov Abiodun welcomes PDP, ADC ward leaders into APC

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has received former ward leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) from four local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors are from Ijebu North, Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas.

Abiodun welcomed the new members during a meeting held in Abeokuta on Wednesday evening, describing the APC as the dominant political force in Ogun State.

The governor questioned why some politicians continued to remain in opposition parties despite what he described as repeated electoral defeats.

“We don’t make noise, we don’t drink whisky or Hennessy; we work to ensure the continuous development of the state.

“Those of you who are still with the Peoples Democratic Party, I find it difficult to understand why you are still there. In 2019, they lost; in 2023, they lost again. What are you still doing there?

“Even in Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Waterside, where you had the highest political office holder in the state in the National Assembly at that time, Hon. Adegbesan, who was a former member of the State Assembly, they still lost. So, what are you doing in the PDP? What does ADC have to offer you?” he asked.

Abiodun also highlighted his administration’s efforts to complete projects inherited from previous governments, stressing that such projects were financed with public funds.

“This is the first government that has completed abandoned projects from previous administrations. Doing that is part of my vow because they were not embarked upon with anybody’s father’s money; they were funded with our taxes. So, we have to finish them.

“Even though we were not the ones that started the hospital and the Buhari Estate, we finished them. Somebody may build a hospital like he is building a house, but a building is not a house. You can build a building and it might not be a home. You can build four walls without a roof on it. It is when it is properly completed that you can finally start to receive the praise you deserve,” he said.

The governor urged the defectors to actively promote the APC and the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that a formal rally would soon be held to celebrate their defection.

He assured the new members that they would not regret their decision, saying they would experience the benefits of democracy under the APC-led government.

APC State Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, welcomed the defectors, describing their decision to join the party as a wise move.

Sanusi said the APC remained an inclusive platform that provided room for members to participate in the development of Ogun State.

Speaking separately, former PDP Ward 2 Chairman in Ijebu North, Adebowale Emmanuel; Ward 6 Chairman, Adeyemi Adewale; and Ajibandele Ward Chairman in Ijebu East, Adedokun Kazeem, said they had decided to leave the opposition and align with what they described as the development drive of the Abiodun administration.

The ADC Secretary in Ijebu East, Michael Bakare, thanked the governor for facilitating the recognition of a traditional ruler for the people of Imobi. He described their movement to the APC as a decision to abandon what he called retrogression for progress.

Similarly, ADC Chairman in Ijebu North-East, Erinle Opeoluwa Samuel, praised the administration’s development efforts across Ogun State and said they regretted not joining the APC earlier.