A group of politicians in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State on Tuesday announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defectors, led by Tunji Ogunrinu, were formally welcomed into ADC by officials of Omoluabi Progressives, a political movement within the party said to be enjoying the backing of the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
In a statement signed by the Publicity and Organising Secretary of Omoluabi Progressives, Oluwaseun Abosede, Ogunrinu said their decision to dump PDP was a result of “poor internal management” and “failure to reward loyalty.”
“The decision to part ways with the PDP was not taken lightly. But the reality is that the ruling party has failed to manage its internal affairs and has also failed to reward loyal members,” Ogunrinu declared.
Another defector, Abdulganiyu Akeem, said Osun people deserve better governance, insisting that it was time for citizens to “arise and shine, instead of suffering and smiling.”
Former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Gbenga Ogunkanmi, who facilitated the defection, described the former PDP members as “political heavyweights and grassroots mobilisers” who would strengthen ADC’s base in the state.
Chairman of Omoluabi Progressives, Azeez Adesiji, assured the new members of full integration into ADC’s structures.
But reacting swiftly, the PDP in Osun disowned the defectors, insisting that those who claimed to have left the ruling party were unknown.
The party’s spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, dismissed the development as a non-issue.
“We don’t know those who defected. They are not known to us,” Bamiji said. “Genuine party members who have grievances know how to channel them. PDP remains a strong party with solid grassroots presence across the state.”
