Former leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have explained their reasons for defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a move they described as an authentic and widespread defection.

The ex-APC members from all 30 local government areas and the Area Office issued a joint statement on Friday, signed by Hon. Oluomo Owolabi and 31 other leaders.

The group who praised Governor Adeleke?s administration for transforming the state positively cited disillusionment with the APC as reason for their massive defection.

According to their statement, a survey by the Democracy Polling Agency recently found that 45% of a former governor?s faction of APC had joined the PDP, a finding they confirmed.

In response to questions about the transition to PDP, the defectors said they have been warmly welcomed and are united with long-standing PDP members to build a better Osun State.

The statement reads, ?We decide to issue this statement following controversy generated by a survey report from the Democracy Polling Agency which affirmed that 45 percent of a faction of the APC has defected to the PDP.

?We want to confirm that many of us were interviewed by the researchers who asked several questions from us. Many of us across the local governments were interviewed. When we saw the report, we knew it reflected our position.

?We left APC because the party has become unfocused, unpopular, anti-people, vendetta driven and unelectable. We left the APC because we want to be part of good things happening in our state. We are glad Governor Ademola Adeleke has turned around the fortunes of Osun state for the better.

?We don?t want to be part of the failure of the past. Osun?s government failed in the past under APC and we now have a government of PDP that is doing the bidding and aspirations of the people. We decided to be part of the success story.

?We also want to clarify that we have no problem with old members we met on the ground in the PDP. They are wonderful host and we are joining hands to build a better state. As new members, our goal is to ensure the re-election of Mr Governor. We want the good work to continue.

?To the APC, we are real leaders from across the local governments who left your party for PDP. We put our names on this statement so the public can know we are real.

?We can assert that more than 50 percent of Ileri Oluwa APC has left for PDP. More APC members are joining the APC. It is a continuous exercise?, the statement concluded.

The statement was signed by Hon. Oluomo Owolabi, Chief Rami Akande Odedele, Oyemade George Opeoluwa, Hon Debo Asaolu, Hon Niyi Oyeleye, Hon. Olagoke Afolayan, Hon. Tajudeen Lawal Augustine, Dr. Isiaka Akande, Alhaja Idaya Fanta, and Alh. Lateef Olayiwola.

Others include Pastor Sola Akande, Chief Lekan Salami, Hon ibikunle Olawale Mufutau (Agba), Akeem Kareem, Nuru Odofin, Hon Tajudeen Hassan, Hon. Femi Idowu Clement, Mrs Oyeniyi Sidikat, Y K Balogun, Alhaja Amiola Aminat,and Hon. Monsuru Adeyefa, Hon Segun Adewuyi, Alhaji Sule Maito a.k.a. Ajerin Ababa, Mrs. Ishola Oyewumi, Chief Kayode Alabi Aresa of Ikire land, Hon Wasiu Olowonuora, Hon Aboiodun Ajuwon, Hon Musibaudeen Iwapele, Olatunji Olatunbosun, Ambassador Adekunle Ibraheem, and Hon Taoheed Wasiu. (Nigerian Tribune)

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