As expected, following the loss by President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), several members of the PDP are leaving. The latest is the political adviser to the president, Ahmed Gulak.
Two serving senators, Ahmed Hassan Barata and Mohammed Bello Tukur representing Adamawa South and Central respectively, a former Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, former minister of health, Dr. Idi Hong have also followed others out of the PDP to the APC.
The defectors in Adamawa State made their plans known at a press conference in Yola, the state capital yesterday. Zwingina, who addressed the press on behalf of the defectors, said: “After careful identification of the best in the current circumstances facing the state, we came to the conclusion that Bindow’s victory will pave the way for the desired restoration and positive change for the peace and development of the state.”
He explained that following the undemocratic tendencies of the candidate imposed on Adamawa State, by the PDP the serving senators under the party formed alliance with major stakeholders in the party to rally around the ambition of Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindowo of the APC.
Similarly, in Ondo State, the PDP’s immediate past national legal adviser, Chief Olusola Oke led several others to join the APC. Former Commissioners under the Late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s administration Princes Oladunni Odu, Ayo ifayefunmi, Olajide Ajana, former Senator Gbenga Ogunniya and Mrs Febi Adeyemi have all left the PDP.
Others included a former Head of Service Alaba Isijola and a former member of the House of Representatives, Abayomi Sheba among others.
Oke confessed that he and his group worked underground to ensure the defeat of the PDP in penultimate weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
Also yesterday, prominent members of the PDP in Oyo State including a member of the House of Representatives, Afeez Jimoh, a former member of the House of Representatives, Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo, Tayo Sarumi, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, PDP governorship aspirant, Chief (Mrs) Ayoka Lawani, Mr. Waheed Adeleke, former Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, among other party leaders from the Accord, Labour Party and PDP who joined the APC.
Oke said that his decision to join the APC was taken because he could not withstand the wind of change he claimed is blowing across the country.
“The wind almost blew me off, but I have now surrendered I can no more resist this change. This change that has blown in the federal must also blow in Ondo State.
Oke said forces of darkness fought against change to happen but “ the only thing that is permanent in life is Change.
“We have come to add value to the APC and salvage the state from bad and visionless leadership with broken promises across the state.
“Ondo State is the poorest in the Southwest because of lack of good leadership. Nothing is working, contractors have abandoned sites, no contract is awarded our youths have no job.
Reacting to the defection the Director of Publicity of the PDP in the state Ayo Fadaka described Oke’s action as disappointing.
“We note with aghast the decampment of Chief Olusola Oke from our Party to the All Progressive Congress, to us it is a route that Oke should not in any circumstance embark upon but since he in company of his little band have chosen to do so, they are welcome to it.
“We equally feel duty bound to declare that we are disappointed that a man who operated as a major stakeholder in our Party could curiously elect to become a common joiner in a Party.
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