Oyo Deputy Gov. dumps PDP for APC over frosty relationship with Makinde
By Abimbola Abatta
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been ascribed to the frosty relationship between him and the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Investigations had revealed that Olaniyan was not in the know of all the arrangements and selection of candidates during the last PDP primaries in the state.
It was gathered that Olaniyan had been sidelined by the governor as sources revealed that he was not involved in activities of the party.
While Governor Makinde and the Deputy had debunked rumours of any rancour in the past, Olaniyan’s defection seems to have confirmed that things were not right between the duo.
Announcing his defection while speaking with journalists in his private office at Ojoo area of Ibadan, Olaniyan said the move did not affect his position as the deputy governor of the state, saying he had not resigned.
The Governor added that he took the decision after consultations with his supporters from across the state.
Olaniyan who described politics as free entry and free exit, added that all his political supporters prevailed on him to join the APC.
Meanwhile, Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin has received the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan, into the party.
Folarin, in a statement, described Olaniyan’s defection as a welcome development and a big catch for the APC.
“The state APC family is very excited that the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji AbdulRauf Olaniyan, has joined us with thousands of his supporters across the 351 Wards.
“With Olaniyan and other well-meaning stakeholders in Oyo State politics, we shall rescue the state from the PDP in 2023.
“Olaniyan and his teeming supporters will not be the last to join the Oyo APC Rescue Mission 2023, many more PDP political office holders and their chieftains will announce their transfers in no distant future,” he said.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that Olaniyan’s defection came on the heels of reports that Governor Makinde had dropped him (Olaniyan) as his running mate for next year’s governorship election.
It was learnt that the governor had picked a former attorney-general in the state and the current Chairman, State Housing Corporation, Bayo Lawal, as Olaniyan’s replacement.
