APC welcomes 2,315 PDP, SDP defectors

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC),  has received no less than 2,315 members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State who defected to join the main opposition.

The defectors, according to report, were received into the party by the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Teslim Folarin and Oyo Central Senatorial candidate, Dr. Yunus Akintunde at Elekuro High School, Ogbere, Ibadan in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of the State, at the weekend.

Welcoming the new members, the Chairman, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, assured them of fairness and equity in the party.

He said: “I welcome you to our great party, APC, as new members, and assure you of all rights accrued to the rest of our members.

“We will ensure that you benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments,” he assured.

Ibikunle, therefore, urged them to aggressively mobilise for electoral victories of all APC candidates in the 2023 elections.

On his part, Folarin commended the defectors, who according to him, had made the right decision by joining APC.

He promised to carry them along in all party affairs and ensure that they benefit from all available opportunities.

The PDP defectors were led by Mogaji Victor Akinyemi while those of SDP was led by Elder A Kalejaye.

Other leaders were Pa Akintayo, Hon. Kolawole Waliyu, fondly called Ikoko, and Alhaji Amidu Olapade.

Mogaji Akinjide, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, said they were pleased with the way they were received by Folarin.

In his remarks, Elder Kalejaye said Folarin’s performance and his emergence as the governorship candidate of APC informed their defection, saying the victory of APC in 2023 would not only benefit the Local Government but the entire state.