The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Wednesday suffered another loss as five of its members in the State House of Assembly dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The five PDP lawmakers are the immediate past Deputy Speaker, Hon. Fatai Olotu (Akoko North East), Hon. Akinyele Fasogbon (Odigbo 2), Hon. Kuti Towase (Akoko South East), Hon. Bimbo Fajolu (Ileoluji/Okeigbo) and Hon. Tuyi Akintimehin (Idanre).
The defection of the lawmakers now gives the APC the needed two – third majority to carry out decision in the hallow chamber as the APC now has 18 members while PDP has been reduced to eight members.
The lawmakers and their supporters were received into the APC by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu at the International Event Centre, The Dome, Igbatoro road, Akure.
Receiving the lawmakers into the party’s fold, the state APC Deputy Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, congratulated the ex-PDP members for choosing to dump the “sinking PDP ship” for the APC.
Assuring that more PDP lawmakers would still join the APC, Adetimehin assured the new members that the party would give them a level playing ground in the party.
Governor Akeredolu praised the courage of the lawmakers for taking the right decision in joining the APC without any form of inducement.
The governor said the step taken by the five lawmakers and their supporters showed their readiness to contribute their own quota to the development of the State.
The governor said he was ready to work with all the members of the House of Assembly towards a warm executive-legislature relationship for the progress of the State.
He pleaded with members of the APC and the people of the State to be patient with his administration as things would gradually take shape.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Olotu said he and his colleagues would add value to the APC and would join hands with the governor to move the State forward.
Other leaders at the event included the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Bamidele Oleyeloogun, and party leaders from across the State.
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