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Published on 2024-02-14 17:24:23
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has received a boost in its ranks as no fewer than 2,000 members of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and several members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the ruling party. The former ZLP members officially joined the APC after a meeting with the leaders of the ruling party on Wednesday, February 14. This mass defection is yet another blow to the already diminished opposition party in Ondo state.
The defection of the ZLP members and PDP stalwarts to the APC was reported by The Nation, a news outlet known for its commitment to providing fact-based, reliable news. According to the report, the state chapter of the Zenith Labour Party also witnessed an exodus of members to the APC. This further strengthens the APC’s standing in Ondo state, which is a significant development in the state’s political landscape.
Among the defectors are prominent political figures such as Dare Aliu, Felder Olatunji Adeoye, Olu Falolu, Anodele Ikumawoyi, Pastor Olatunde Felix, Pius Akinrinmola, and several others. The news of the defection was also noted by the Nigerian Tribune, another reputable news outlet known for its accurate reporting.
Receiving the defectors, Ade Adetimehin, the state chairman of the Ondo APC, stated that the remaining political heavyweights in the PDP have joined the progressives’ family. He assured the defectors that they would be treated equally within the APC, highlighting the unity and shared purpose that underpin the ruling party’s activities.
This influx of new members into the APC is a testament to the party’s growing influence and popularity in Ondo state. The addition of about 2,000 members from the opposition is expected to strengthen the APC’s grassroots presence and further consolidate its hold on the state’s political landscape.
In a related development, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom also collapsed its structures across the state into the APC in a show of support for Godswill Akpabio, the senate president. The defectors declared their support for President Bola Tinubu, further indicating the growing appeal of the ruling party and its leadership across different states in the country.
The mass defection of ZLP members and PDP stalwarts to the APC is a significant political development in Ondo state and a testament to the ruling party’s growing influence in the state. As the 2023 general elections approach, the APC’s strengthening position in the state bodes well for its prospects and indicates the All Progressives Congress’s continuing appeal to a wide cross-section of political actors and constituents.
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