By Balikis Ajoyo
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has formally received former ward leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) from Ijebu North, Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas of Ogun East Senatorial District into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abiodun received the defectors during a meeting in Abeokuta on Wednesday evening, where he described the APC as the dominant political party in Ogun State.
The governor questioned why some politicians continued to remain in opposition parties despite what he described as repeated electoral defeats.
“We don’t make noise, we don’t drink whisky or Hennessy; we work to ensure the continuous development of the state,” Abiodun said.
He specifically criticised members of the PDP who, according to him, remained in the party despite its losses in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
“Those of you who are still with the Peoples Democratic Party, I find it difficult to understand why you are still there. In 2019, they lost; in 2023, they lost again. What are you still doing there?” he asked.
Abiodun also recalled the PDP’s performance in Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Waterside, noting that the party failed to secure victory in the areas despite having a prominent political figure from the zone serving in the National Assembly at the time.
“So, what are you doing in the PDP? What does ADC have to offer you?” the governor asked.
On governance, Abiodun said his administration would continue to prioritise the completion of projects initiated by previous administrations, stressing that such projects were funded with taxpayers’ money and should not be abandoned.
According to him, his administration has completed several inherited projects, including a hospital and the Buhari Estate.
“This is the first government that has completed abandoned projects from previous administrations. Doing that is part of my vow because they were not embarked upon with anybody’s father’s money; they were funded with our taxes. So, we have to finish them,” he said.
The governor explained that completing a project was essential to ensuring that the intended benefits could be delivered to the people.
“Even though we were not the ones that started the hospital and the Buhari Estate, we finished them. Somebody may build a hospital like he is building a house, but a building is not a house. You can build a building and it might not be a home. You can build four walls without a roof on it. It is when it is properly completed that you can finally start to receive the praise you deserve,” Abiodun added.
Governor Abiodun urged the new APC members to become apostles of the party and the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring them that a proper rally would soon be organised to formally celebrate their entry into the ruling party.
He also assured the defectors that they would not be put to shame, saying they would soon begin to enjoy the dividends of democracy under the APC-led administration.
The State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, expressed delight at the decision of the defectors to join the ruling party, describing it as a wise one.
Sanusi said the APC remained an accommodating political platform capable of providing opportunities for all members to contribute to the development of the state.
In their separate remarks, former PDP Chairman of Ward 2, Ijebu North, Hon. Adebowale Emmanuel; Chairman of Ward 6, Ijebu North, Prince Adeyemi Adewale; and Ajibandele Ward Chairman in Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Adedokun Kazeem, said it was time to leave the opposition and join what they described as the train of development under Governor Abiodun.
The Secretary of the ADC in Ijebu East Local Government, Chief Michael Bakare, thanked Governor Abiodun for giving the people of Imobi the honour of having a traditional ruler, saying their decision to join the APC was a decision to leave retrogression behind and embrace progress.
Also, the ADC Chairman in Ijebu North-East Local Government, Hon. Erinle Opeoluwa Samuel, commended the development taking place across Ogun State, saying the decision to join the APC was one they ought to have made a long time ago
