PDP loses members to Labour Party in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson
Akure—HUNDREDS of members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Okitipupa area of Ondo  State, have decamped to the ruling Labour Party, LP, citing the unprecedented achievements of Governor Olusegun Mimiko within the last two years in office as reason for their defection.

Meanwhile, there are indications that former Commissioner for Special Duties and Works, under the past governor Olusegun Agagu’s administration, Chief Boye Adegbemisoye, is set to dumped PDP for LP.

Adegbemisoye, from Ile Oluji/Okeigbo Council area of the state was one of the five kitchen cabinet member in the Dr. Agagu’s administration.

His likely defection is seen as another major blow to the opposition party in the state and an indication of a crack in the camp of the former governor.

However, the Okitipupa ceremony coincided with the end-of- the year get-together of the Labour Party in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

It had in attendance Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, state deputy chairmen of the party, Chief Dele Akinyele and Chief (Mrs) Aduke Olugboja, among other state executive members of the party.

A statement by the Press Officer to the governor, Dele Awogbemi in Akure, said the event  was used to celebrate the success of the party in the local government, especially the distribution of dividends of democracy.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Mimiko, who appreciated the people of the council area for the support for the party and his administration since inception, noted  that the unity and cohesion within the party from across the state had led to thousands of decampees from other parties into its fold.

Mimiko’s welcome speech

He said: “I want to assure you that your government is on course in this state. We shall continue to take decision that will benefit the greatest number of our people.

“I want to congratulate our brothers and sisters who have taken the wisest decision to join the party of the people, the party chosen by God to liberate the people of out state from bondage.”

Governor reassured that as a government of the people, his administration would continue to take decision that would benefit the majority of the people in line with his promise during his inauguration.

According to him, about N160 million had been paid to recover the Okitipupa Oil Palm Company with the assurance that it would be handed over to credible investors to operate in the best interest of the people and government, adding that the Okitipupa town hall, which had been under construction for 30 years was now completed.

He stated that the State University of Science and Technology Okitipupa would commence academic activities in January  from its permanent site, stressing that contracts for the asphalt overlay of all surfaced dressed roads in Okitipupa and other parts of the state had been awarded.