The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State yesterday welcomed over 1,200 defectors from different political parties into the party.
The defectors were received at Lagelu Local Government area with pulps and drums, as thousands of party loyalists thronged the event to welcome the ‘new members’ into their camp.
The new members include former members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, and Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The ‘returnees’ as they were referred were received officially into the party by the PDP state chairman, Oyekunmi Mustapha.
He welcomed them with open arms, symbolizing that the party is a big family and ready to accommodate them.
Mustapha opined that the decision by the defectors to leave their parties to join the ruling PDP is a statement that commends the excellent work of the executive governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
In his own words, the PDP party chieftain and a former commissioner, Chief Bayo Okeyode, admonished that “politicians, whether office holder or ordinary member should imbibe the spirit of perseverance wherever they find themselves.
“Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who was my mentor in politics had defected to almost 4 parties, and whenever he calls on me to follow suit, I always refuse, and would tell him, you showed us the way to this party, and right here in PDP, I will stay put.”
Okeyode enjoined that, money as important as it is, cannot buy position but only perseverance and loyalty can do that.
The former commissioner with a big laughter welcomed those who rejoined the party, and advised them to be patient, noting that PDP is a big umbrella that is capable of covering all and sundry.
In his response, Honourable Tayo Oyediji, who led other decampees from APC, appreciated the generosity of the people in the party in accepting him and his other colleagues back to the party.
He said that the opposition party in Oyo state (APC) has betrayed all they stand for, and that is the major reason for his defection.
The former federal representative member disclosed that, since the beginning of the PDP led administration in Oyo State, he had enjoyed the benefits of good governance, and therefore, has come to pledge his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The host of the occasion, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, representing Lagelu state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, posited that the actions of the decamped members show the love and support the Lagelu community holds toward the Seyi Makinde led government.
In his remarks, “decamping has been happening all over the country, but the difference here in Lagelu Local Government is that, the defectors were from five different political parties, and this is to show how much the people of this community are committed to the continuity of the incumbent administration.”
The lawmaker assured the decampees of a level playing ground and numerous benefits, as they have rejoined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
