Nigeria: Ondo State Deputy Governor defects to APC
By CHINYERE Ogbonna-The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and declared for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Olanusi gave reasons for his defection in a statement made available to Channels Television on Thursday.
“In the unfolding political development in our country today, and in Ondo State in particular, it is increasingly clear that I need to chart a new course for majority of my followers who look up to me for direction and leadership and who have watched helplessly in the last six (6) years, the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place.
“While still being in place as the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well-wishers in the state into the All Progressives Congress (APC) where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty – a party to which majority of our kith and kins in Yorubaland and belong.
“I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the South West and the Nation’” the statement read.
Olanusi, an indigene of Supare in Akoko South West local government area of the State, became the Deputy Governor of the State in 2009 under the platform of Labour Party before he defected alongside the State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to the PDP in October, 2014.
Similarly, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, on Sunday, announced his defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Ikuru has been Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s deputy since 2007 and has been campaigning for the APC along with Amaechi until he declared his defection six days to the general elections.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government has reacted to news of Mr Olanusi’s defection.
The Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said, “The State Government just received the news of the defection of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State to the All Progressive Congress.
“Though it came as a surprise, government acknowledges his right to determine his political affiliation and wish him well.”
