Ondo Poll: 6,000 APC Members Reportedly Defect To PDP

Over 6,000 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Idanre, Ondo State.

The APC defectors were led by Adebowale Olowoeye popularly known as Olumose and Bidemi Oladapo.

The event took place at the popular Depot, Broad Street on Thursday, October 13 2016.

Also Idanre, Ebonyi ,Kwara and Osun natives who are apolitical but resident in the local government took turn to declare support for the Eyitayo candidature and registered as members of the party (PDP).

Speaking at the event, the governor of the state, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who  was represented by Kola Ademujimi, his chief of staff, said that the support given to his government by the people of the area is commendable, adding that there are enough signs on ground to suggest that they will extend their unfettered support for him to the PDP candidate.

Meanwhile, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state has asked its members and supporters to disregard the High Court judgement declaring Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s candidate for the state’s governorship election.

The publicity secretary of the of the party in the state, Banji Okunomo declared this in Akure, saying that its governorship candidate can only emerge through a due process in consonance with the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The party believes that its governorship candidate can never be produced through the back door or some unconstitutional procedures.

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria has made it clear that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of a party could nominate the governorship candidate.

“This was done in the nomination of Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN). As such, no High Court can invalidate or alter this position which is clearly defined by the highest ruling court in Nigeria,” the party said.

Recall that a Federal High Court judge had given a specific order asking the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Jimoh Ibrahim as the People’s Democratic Party candidate in the upcoming Ondo election.

Justice Okon Abang gave the order to reinforce his earlier ruling in June which compelled the PDP to work with the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party as authentic party leaders relating to 2019.