Over 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo State have left the party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The defection happened on Thursday in Idanre town, with federal lawmaker Festus Akingbaso leading the move.
Akingbaso, who represents the constituency in the House of Representatives, officially announced his switch to the APC, saying he was moved by the achievements of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“As a member of the National Assembly for two years, I have witnessed the giant strides of President Tinubu at the top level, and it is important that I bring my supporters to work with the governor in Ondo for the overall success of the party,” Akingbaso said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, represented at the event by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, welcomed the defectors and praised Akingbaso for what he described as a bold decision.
“I want to congratulate our people in Idanre and Ifedore LGAs for having a worthy son, who has been representing you well at the National Assembly,” he said.
“Festus Akingbaso has witnessed all that the APC is doing in Ondo State and at the federal level. We are happy to receive him and members of the PDP.”
State chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehin, who handed the party’s flag to Akingbaso, declared that the constituency would now become a stronghold for the APC.
“The Federal Constituency used to be divided for APC and PDP, but with the defection of Hon. Akingbaso to our party, Idanre and Ifedore will henceforth record 100 per cent votes for the APC,” he said.
He urged residents to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and said the defection showed Ondo State was now fully aligned with the APC.
