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A former House of Representatives member who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju /Kajola Federal constituency of Oyo state in the ninth National Assembly, Hon. Shina Peller and over 2, 000 members of the Accord party in the Oyo North senatorial district of the state on Thursday defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic party PDP
The occasion held at the open space of the palace of the Aseyin of Iseyinland , had in attendance Lagos State PDP gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Olajide Adediran.
In his remarks, Oyo state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Barrister Adebayo Lawal while receiving the decampees at a gathering assured the defectors of equal treatment and a level playing field in the Party.
The governor said: “Being a Progressive without political power is zero, that is why Shina Peller joined the PDP the party with power.
He recalled that he had in the past toed similar path in political sojourn before joining the PDP which has brought him to his current status in politics.
“If you are looking for something that you feel is your right and you are being denied , within that group, what would you do? You leave there.
He prayed that the coming of Hon Peller and the decampees will not regret joining the PDP.
The governor said Hon Shina Peller’s entry to the party should serve as motivation for the state government to do more in terms of development projects in the senatorial district
He urged all members and leaders of the party at the Ward, local government, federal constituencies , senatorial and state levels to embrace the decampees with open arms for the progress of the party, saying “there is enough space in the sky for every bird to fly”
“As Hon Shina Peller has shown us those that joined us, when they get to their various destinations, will quickly integrate with us because Local government elections is close by and we want to make sure the PDP wins 100 percent, ” he said.
He then presented the party’s flag to Hon Shina Peller and some of the leadership of the Accord party in the area who decamped to the party.
Earlier, the defectors arrow head, Hon Shina Peller, said the decision of the entire members of the Accord party to defect to the ruling PDP was hinged on the sterling performances of the state governor ‘Seyi Makinde
“Our decision for this is hinged on the good performance of this present administration of governor Seyi Makinde.
As you know politics is always by interest either it is your personal interest which is never for me, or it is for your people’s interest or for religious interest. But I think the most important interest to protect in politics is the people’s interest, and when we say the people, we mean the majority of the people because this is democracy, which is government of the people made of the people and for the people.
“Today, I can say am speaking the pulse of the people of Oke-ogun, ogbomoso south, ogbomoso north and orire which constitute Oyo North senatorial district.”
“We have seen the reason to align with the vision of our amiable leader, governor Seyi Makinde. Our land is blessed with both human and natural resources but this resources has failed to translate to result basically because of bad leadership but I always say, there is no leadership where there is no vision, Seyi Makinde is a visioneer, the omituntun 2.0 is a clear vision that is for the people to prosper. Somebody that pays so much attention to the interest of the masses Oyo state
“For this reasons, we have decided to join hands with the governor and the members of the great party, the PDP. Truly, a lot of people say they know that am a progressive, but I have told them that I have come to PDP to for power because I need power to progress.”
“As we join the PDP today, I pray to God almighty that our presence should bring greatness, prosperity and the cause of the people of Oyo state in general,” he concluded.
Oyo state governor,’Seyi Makinde said being a progressive without political power will amount to nothing. .
Also in their goodwill messages,the chairman Oyo state PDP board of trustees and co -Chairman of the state Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun, the Asiwaju of Igbetiland, Chief Jacob Adetoro, part time commissioner , Local Government service commission, Yeye Nike Areas, and the national vice chairman south west of the PDP, Barr. Kamorudeen Ajisafe among others while welcoming the decampees assured them of equal opportunities and privileges within the party just as they described the PDP as a party to reckon with.
Others in attendance at the occasion are former Deputy governor of Oyo state , Engr Hamid Gbadamosi, Oyo state deputy chairman of the party, Hon. James Olukunle , reps member, representing Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon Abayomi Shina Oyejide, Alhaji kunmi mustapha, Senator Gbenga Babalola, Hon Dare Adeleke, Barr. Adeniyi Farinto, Elder Wole Oyelese, among others.
