Former LP deputy gov candidate, others defect to APC in Ondo

A former deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the November 16, 2024 Ondo state governorship election, Hon Dayo Awude, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Awude, a former Commissioner and former State Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his supporters and leaders of various political parties were formally received by Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday.

During the event, held at the Akure city hall, Governor Aiyedatiwa congratulated the defectors under the platform of the Sunshine Grassroots Network from various political parties, including PDP, SDP and ADC, for what he described as a wise decision to join the APC.

The Governor said: “In Ondo State, there is no room for coalition, it is one APC. People join political parties for different reasons, but the interest of the party must always supersede every other interest, and for us in the APC, that interest is to retain power.”

He noted that the APC has all it takes to achieve that goal, pointing to what he called the evidence of good governance under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level and his own administration in Ondo State.

“The whole of Ondo State is for President Tinubu come 2027, and the decision of these defectors to join us today is a strong step towards that goal. Joining our party is an assurance that we will do greater numbers and further strengthen the APC ahead of the presidential election,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stated.

Awude, who was the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last gubernatorial election, announced his defection to the APC, citing his alignment with the progressive ideals and developmental agenda of the current administration.

Awude said, “I have joined the APC to add value, and I assure Mr. Governor that he will see it. I urge all our party faithful to return to their units and wards to fully integrate themselves. I am here for progress to support President Bola Tinubu and to support the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”

He commended the leadership style of Governor Aiyedatiwa, noting that it informed his decision to join forces with the administration. He pledged to work for the unity and success of the APC in Ondo State.

Another defector, Dele Ogunbameru, former Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said he had faced numerous challenges in his former party but now feels at home in the APC. He added that he has joined the ruling party to contribute his wealth of experience and help move it forward. 

Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, described Hon. Awude as a man of capacity, noting that true political strength begins from the unit and extends to the ward.

“Any politician who cannot deliver his unit and ward is not a politician. I urge all our new members to work towards strengthening the party at the grassroots.

"Therefore, on behalf of the National Chairman of our party, I want to formally welcome you into APC and I thereby hand you over to the Leader of our party in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa", Adetimehin said.