A former Senatorial aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, Alhaji Lateef Ajijola, on Thursday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Ajijola, a senatorial candidate of the PDP in the 2022 general election, defected with scores of his supporters to the ruling party and was received by the leadership of the party.
Receiving the former PDP stalwart into the progressive family, State Chairman of APC, Sola Elesin stated that the defection is a major boost to the party and described him as a grassroots mobilizer.
He urged him to prioritize the interest of the party against any personal ambition towards the re-election of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
He said: “I pray that as he joins us today, he will continue to progress and contribute to the party’s growth. Since he began considering joining the party, he has already been doing a lot of good work.
“As you officially join the party today, it is important to work with the Governor and support him in his bid for a second term. By doing so, it will also be easier for others with ambitions to achieve their goals. Let us prioritize working for the Governor first before pursuing personal ambitions. This is the time to work, and I pray that our efforts will be fruitful.”
On her part, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro noted that the defection of Ajijola is a testament to the good works of Governor Oyebanji that has endeared Ekiti people to the party.
According to her, “His decision shows that the party is progressing, which is why more people are joining. The Governor has been doing a lot of good work, and we want the good work continues.”
In his speech , Alhaji Lateef Ajijola pledged to contribute his quota to the developmental milestones of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji alongside his supporters from across the 16 local governments.
He said: “It is very clear that the country is going in a right direction in infrastructural improvements, anti-corruption, President Bola Tinubu is doing very well and Governor Biodun Oyebanji is doing excellently well. I want to join them to contribute to the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large because they are doing very well.
“I came with my supporters to add value and all the people I came with are politicians. One politician is coordinating two hundred and three hundred electorates and in Ado-Ekiti alone, I came with over 500 politicians.”
Meanwhile, Ajijola was equally received by the party leadership in his ward , Ward 9 Ado-Ekiti alongside his supporters amidst cheers and excitement where he donated the sum of 1.5 Million naira to the ward.
