By James Ogunnaike

ABEOKUTA:  The former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo said that he was forced to quit the party he led for eight years in the state because of its indiscipline and lawlessness.

Engr Dayo disclosed that he decided to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the leadership qualities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the good works of Governor Dapo Abiodun since his election in May 2019 as the number one citizen of the state.

The former Chairman disclosed this while defecting to APC during his Ward 3 meeting held at St. Matthew Anglican Primary School, Ojowo, Ijebu Igbo, headquarters of Ijebu North Local Government.

Speaking on why he decided to abandon his former political party, Engr. Dayo said he could no longer afford to stay in a party that had since thrown discipline to the pigs.

He said, “PDP is now a party of no discipline where five governors are putting their legs in many political parties without caution. I no longer want to be a member of such party where the leaders cannot discipline themselves”.

The former Chairman described his defection as a kind of reunion with his old political allies, explaining that he had actually known Governor Abiodun for a very long time.

He said, “God is reuniting us today with our brothers and sisters in APC, many of whom we have been together for many years including our Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

“I am a grassrooots politician and that is why I said  this defection  will hold at my Ward 3, Ijebu Igbo and not Abeokuta or anywhere. I understand the dynamics of politics clearly. I have been in PDP for over 25 years, but I must say that I have been very well impressed with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government of Gov Abiodun.

“President Tinubu is the most experienced politician to lead us and the only President that is investigating his own minister, he is really making the southern part of Nigeria very proud.

“Governor Abiodun too has been committed to efforts that are geared towards making life more comfortable for the residents. For instance, Governor Abiodun constructed the Ilisan-Ago Iwoye that was abandoned for over 10 years, likewise Molusi road among other good works he is doing across the state.

“I didn’t inform anybody when I joined PDP, I have nobody to inform if I am crossing to the ruling party, I am old enough to decide on my next move politically and like I said I can’t continue to stay in a party that no longer cares about discipline,

“I am here with four ward chairmen of PDP in Ijebu Igbo among other chieftains of the party because they see the quality in me and I am sure we would not regret this step, my followers are with me anytime and we are here in APC to join hands with Gov. Abiodun in taking Ogun State to higher ground”.

Welcoming the defectors into APC, Secretary to the Government, Hon. Tokunbo Talabi disclosed that having Engr Bayo Dayo joined the ruling party is a big plus for the party in Ijebu North Local Government and the state at large.

Talabi said “Engr Dayo’s political capacity and prowess is huge, he is the type of politician whose experience cannot be wished away or underestimated, he has been at the game for a very long time. 

“He is a politician that I have known for a very long time, he is a firm believer in the use of politics as an instrument to serve and make good difference in the lives of the people. 

“We are happy to have Engr Bayo Dayo and his supporters in APC and we believe that this will mark the beginning of many great things to come for the party and the state in this new year.

The event which was held at St. Mathew’s Anglican Primary School, Ward 3, Ojowo Ijebu-Igbo, in Ijebu North Local Government had in attendance chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in the state, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tokunbo Talabi who represented the Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Others were Hon. Adegbesan, member House of Representatives for Ijebu East/Ijebu North/Ogun Waterside federal constituency, Alhaji Ademola Balogun, Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Tokunbo Oshin, former Deputy Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Chief Laide Osifeso among others.