Jonathan’s Campaign in Ondo state Postponed As PDP members Defect to APC

 

President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign which was scheduled for Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state, was cancelled as 48 important members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State defected to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday.

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko who is the also South-West co-ordinator of the Jonathan campaign, announced the development, through his spokesman, Eni Ekinsola, at a news conference in Akure on Wednesday, saying the campaign was rescheduled because the President had to receive visiting former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Kofi Annan.

The Party members defected after they accused the governor of favouring some of his supporters over the original members of the PDP.

The defectors who were mostly former political office holders, old PDP members and former Labour Party chieftains include, the Chief of Staff to former Governor Olusegun Agagu, Femi Agagu, former Speakers of the State Assembly, Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Abdulsalam, the House of Representatives member for Owo/Ose federal constituency, Eniolorunda Omosule among others.

The spokesman of the defectors, Femi Agagu, said their decision is based on the fact that Nigeria needs a change and Ondo state needs a new direction from the tyranny and bad leadership in the state.

He also said the defectors included former state party chairman, working committee members, members of National Assembly, Speakers and members of the State Assembly, commissioners and Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and Senior Civil Servants; Chairmen of Boards, parastatals and local government councils, special assistants, councilors and established grassroots political leaders.

He said: “We took this decision after lenghty sessions of consultation with friends,political associates as well as supporters in all the 203 wards of the state. We have also received the confidence of distinguished elder statesmen, non political young and elderly citizens who are concerned about the future of our dear state and country.

“Today is indeed a watershed in the political history of Ondo State. Never before have so many notable people chosen to desert a political party at the same time like this.

‘’There are several reasons for our decision but most important is the obvious fact that Nigeria needs change and Ondo State,  a new direction, we need change which is the burden of good, honest, diligent, prepared, tested and competent leadership.

“Change, which is a mission to a destination of greatness where our state and nation ought to be. Change from broken promises, broken infrastruture, broken confidence, broken trust, broken leadership and broken future, all from which our people daily and consistently suffer”.

The National Vice Chairman of the Southwest zone of the party, Chief Pius Akinyelure assured them of equality of members, saying that there is no founder, no joiner in the party.