Eight members of the State Working Committee and 6,200 members at local government and ward levels of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State have left the party to join the Action Democratic Party.

The party deputy chairman in the state, Azeez Adesiji along with all the defectors were received by the chairman of the ADP, Toye Akinola, at the secretariat of the party in Osogbo amidst jubilation.

Adesiji alleged that the mass defection was caused by “nepotism, impunity and unconcerned attitude” of the decision makers in APC and also by the state government towards the citizens of the state, among other reasons.

“I, Alhaji Azeez Issa Adesiji and other state exco members wish to make it known to you all about our defection into this new, credible, alternative party because of impunity and undemocratic practices witnessed in our former party, the All Progressives Congress, Osun State, which is unbecoming of an acclaimed progressive party,” he said.

“Among the 780 local government executives in APC in Osun State, 580 are moving with me the deputy state chairman of the party to our new party, the Action Democratic Party,

“Also, among the 8,632 executives at the ward level in the APC, 5,620 are also joining the train to our new party, Action Democratic Party.”

The party had on July 21 held its primary election which has since mired with controversies. Aspirants criticised the party after its chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, announced the use of direct primaries system.

The direct primary means all card-carrying members of the APC are eligible to vote.

But twelve of the 17 governorship aspirants criticised the move. They said there was no comprehensive register of APC members across Osun State.

Oyetola was later elected candidate of the party despite their protests.

He will represent the APC in the September 22 governorship election in the state.

•Culled from a Guardian report

Update news