The Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party South-West, Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe, has downplayed the defection of some prominent members from the party, describing it as inconsequential.
Ajisafe drew parallels with a similar situation in Osun State, where the party won the governorship election despite defections.
He expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to democracy and the resilience of the Ondo State people in choosing their leaders, according to Independent.
The PDP candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, assured the party’s leadership that they would occupy the Governor’s Office in February 2025, stating that more people are joining the party despite some defections.
A new State Caretaker Committee, led by former Speaker Rt. Hon. Bakkita Olufowobi Bello, was inaugurated to steer the party towards victory in the November 16, 2024 governorship poll.
The zonal chairman said: “Don’t be discouraged with the news of some big names or some people leaving your party to another. When we started in Osun State, a lot of big men deserted us. The big names that are bigger than the one you’re hearing in your State. But today , the story has changed.
“Those who are leaving now have left a long time ago. So, it is now that they know that we can no longer absolve their shenanigans that they are now leaving. We have the majority of their followers with us. Their leaving is very inconsequential.”
Ajisafe said “With every one cooperation, we are winning all the way. Ondo will fall into the hand of the PDP. Don’t be discouraged with the news that some people are not with us or are leaving us. Once God is with us, Ondo will fall into the hand of PDP. We are all on the same page and all hands are on deck to make sure that we take over the governance of the state.
“Not even now that we know the level of poverty in the country. I wouldn’t want to believe that anybody would want to vote for APC this time. I trust President Bola Tinubu that he would not do anything to truncate this democracy. What I am saying is that direct falsification of results will not come up. You know the history of Ondo State when it comes to the manipulation of election results . The people will not take it.”
According to him, “When some people are leaving the party, more and more are still coming. You will agree with me that since 1999, this will be the first time people will be leaving a ruling party to the opposition PDP everyday. Currently, there is no APC in Ese-Odo local government again.
“The same thing is also going on in Akoko. So, if anybody is leaving PDP, maybe they are just trying to exercise their rights.
“No man is God. We will not forget that they have served this state at a time and take good care of them when we assume office and tell them that this is our state.”
