The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State recorded a huge loss in Oyo State when the only National Assembly member produced by the party in the state, Hon Segun Dokun Odebunmi led over 5000 loyalists of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision to dump their party was reached at the general meeting of Hon Segun Odebunmi political Group held in Iresa Apa in Suurulere Local Government Area of the state.
Former party chairmern, political office holders and leaders in the party from both Ogo Oluwa and Surulere which Hon Odebunmi represents at the National Assembly were also present at the meeting.
Speaking at the event, a former member of a PDP committee in the state, Chief Isaac Olawale Alatishe who resigned his appointment few weeks ago said, the re-conciliatory move by the elders of the PDP would have been better if those who are returning to the party are sincere.
“Those who returned to the party are being seen as lords in the party, they don’t have regards for us, those of us who stayed back and held the party while they left were taken for granted, it got to a point that we had to be taking orders from the returnees.
“We are no longer comfortable with that arrangement, they are hijacking everything, and instead of going to any form of war or rancorous situation, we decided to leave the party and we told our leader Hon Odebunmi that he should also leave
“Hon Odebunmi’s numerous efforts to see that the party stands was not acknowledged by those hijackers, rather they want to reap where they did not show, they are manipulating everything and we are not ready for that.”
The lawmaker in his speech said he was committed to the Peoples Democratic Party right from the day he joined the party in 1999 but the unfair treatment and injustice meted out to party members in his constituency forced him out of the party.
“I have decided to go with my people, apart from God they are the next in my political journey, they have interfaced with people and done their underground work very well before concluding on APC and since that is where they want I am also going with them”
Hon Odebunmi who has won the National Assembly Election under PDP two times said “I am not desperate about political office, but I hate injustice, if people who suffered for the party can be treated like this at the beginning how are we sure we will not be totally sidelined later? I have consulted widely too and the option is to leave the party and the only credible alternative is APC”
Odebunmi who is the chairman, National Assembly committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Value also used the occasion to declare unflinching support for President Muhammad Buhari’s administration in the country.
“His giant steps towards economic recovery are yielding positive results. I wish to urge Nigerians to be patient with the president.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
