In a significant boost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the ruling party just a week before the governorship election, following a campaign led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The defection occurred during Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s campaign rally in Akure North Local Government Area, specifically targeted at six Local Government Areas in Ogbese: Iju, Itaogbolu, Igoba, Ogbese, Ilu-Abo, Oba-Ile, and Igbatoro.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who is seeking re-election, welcomed the SDP defectors and assured them of equal opportunities within the APC, urging the crowd to make their votes count by voting for the APC, stating that voting for any other party would be a wasted opportunity.
However, during his visit to the palace of the Olu of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae assured Aiyedatiwa that every vote in Ilu-Abo would go to the APC candidate. However, Oba Falae reminded the governor to honor the promises made to the community.
In response, the Ogbolu of Itaogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode, appealed to Aiyedatiwa to rehabilitate roads in his domain and provide other critical amenities.
Assuring the Oba, Aiyedatiwa highlighted his administration’s focus on rural-urban road networks, aimed at easing transportation of food products and bolstering the state’s agricultural sector. He committed to expanding these projects and enhancing rural development if re-elected.
“We are working on rural-urban road networks, particularly those that connect farming communities to urban markets. This initiative aims to ease the transportation of food products, bolstering our state’s agricultural sector. If elected, I am committed to expanding these projects and enhancing rural development,” he said.
Meanwhile, the mass defection is expected to impact the outcome of the governorship election, with analysts already weighing in on the implications.
The election, scheduled for next week, will see Governor Aiyedatiwa face off against major opponents, including former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.