Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola on Wednesday led other bigwigs of the African Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Zenith Labour Party and People Democratic Movement to the main opposition party in the country, the People’s Democratic Party.
The official defection was done during a South West mega rally held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Others who followed Oyinlola were former Ekiti state governor, Segun Oni, Former Secretaries to the State Government in Osun, Alh Kazeem Adio and Alh Fatai Akinbade; Dr Bayo Faforiji, Barrister Ojo Williams, among other heavyweights.
The host governor, Seyi Makinde in his commended efforts of the party leaders to reconcile aggrieved members across the country.
‘Today is the beginning of unity in the South-West region. If South-West is united, the whole country will be united. We are using this opportunity to welcome our brothers and sisters from the APC, ADP, ZLP, SDP and ADC.
“I want you to take two things home. And the first is; they are of the opinion that we should not have staged this rally because of the Coronavirus pandemic but it was one of their leaders who said Coronavirus has already infiltrated their party. We all know that there is no Coronavirus in our own party.
“The second is, last week; some people went to Lagos to protest against Amotekun. They did the same in Ekiti yesterday. And you will begin to wonder if these elements are really of Yoruba extraction. But the truth of the matter, which has also been established, is that our people want Amotekun and it has come to stay.
“So, I want to urge us to show deep love to our leaders and their loyalists who have joined us again. Let us tell them they are welcome to their home’ he said.
Also speaking, Prince Oyinlola said the time has come to restructure the country, noting that “the deception of the APC and what he referred to as greed, avarice and nepotism that have dominated the nation’s polity under the APC have become unbearable.”
He advised PDP members to handle matters within the party with wisdom and ensure they stay united.
“I greet our National Leader, Prince Uche Secondus, who is ably represented by retired military officer, Austin Akobundu. I also greet all the leaders of the PDP in the South-West.
“I will be brief but I want you to be patient because of some vital information we need to take home today. When I informed my people that we were going to join PDP in Ibadan, some of them asked me what inspired such move, and I told them Ibadan is the centre of politics in the South-West.
“So, on the current level of politics in Nigeria, I don’t think the proper thing is being done. I am saying this because I understand the political history of this country. They deceived us that they wanted to restructure the system of governance and we fell for it. Upon their assumption of office, they told us they didn’t understand the concept of restructuring again. I see that as a total deception.
“The second thing we have observed about them is the selfishness and greed. When they sacked the former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, they replaced her with a Northerner. When they also removed Oke, they replaced him with someone from their region. Recently, when they relieved Peterside Dakuku of his duties, he was replaced with a Northerner too.
“So, I want our people at home to know that this is the right time to restructure politics in the South-West region, because we can no longer continue working effortlessly without reward.
“I have a piece of advice for our party. I appeal to us not to feel too wise about handling matters within the party, because the end result, sometimes, could lead to failure. Let us be sagacious in whatever we are doing.
“My second advice is, we must learn to unite ourselves, work together with one another to achieve a common aim. So, I appreciate you all for your support and the massive turnout, which you have all showed to me and my supporters. We thank you for accepting us back to this party.
“Lastly, I want to pray that the Almighty God will, in His infinite mercy, restore the lost glory of the PDP”, he concluded.
Party stalwarts at the event includes ; Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state, PDP National Organizing Secretary ,Mr. Austin Akobundu, Chief Bode George, former Ekiti state governor, Chief Ayo Fayose, PDP National Youth Leader, Mr Udey Okoye, former Osun deputy governor, Mrs. Olusola Obada, and Alhaji Fatahi Akinbade and Alhaji Kazeem Adio who served as Secretary to the State Government in Osun state at separate times.
