The deputy state chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, Engineer Abayomi Adebayo, Organising Secretary, Hon Femi Ikoyi and scores of leaders of the party including ward chairmen and members of the party local government executives have dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ZLP leaders said they left the party for the embattled and outgoing deputy Governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi who they said doesn’t deserve their support.
The leaders said the defecting embattled deputy Governor will only meet shell in the party as the main engine room of the ZLP has moved to the APC.
According to the defectors, scores of officers of ZLP within the State Executive through the Local Governments to Wards and Units levels in the state have pulled out of the party’s structure to declare unflinching support for the candidature of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, ahead of the October 10, Governorship Election in the state.
Presenting the leaders of the group to Governor Akeredolu at the Government House, Akure, a member of the House of Representatives representing Akoko North East/ North West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the performance of Governor Akeredolu across sectors has made his re-election a state wide project instead of limiting it to his party, the All Progressives Congress.
Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo noted with utmost satisfaction the sincerity of purpose of Governor Akeredolu in governance as exemplified in the industrial, infrastructural and other life changing projects across the state.
“Governor Akeredolu has been tested by the people of this state and the people trust him. Regardless of party lines, he has impressed the people in terms of excellent performance, and that is why leaders from ZLP have come to declare their support for the governor”, he stressed.
In his remarks the Deputy State Chairman of ZLP, Engineer Abayomi Adebayo said the uncommon approach of Governor Akeredolu to good governance endeared the group to the governor.
He said Arakunrin Akeredolu has greatly demonstrated respect for promises and shown that he is committed to the all-round development of Ondo State for the present and future generations to actualise their individual and collective dreams, marks him out as a leader to follow.
Also the State Organising Sectary of ZLP Hon Femi Ikoyi assured Governor Akeredolu of the desire of the group to add significant value to his re-election as Governor of Ondo State.
While describing the group as the political engine of ZLP in Ondo State, Hon Ikoyi stated categorically that with the other alliances the group is bringing to the table for Governor Akeredolu, the re-election of the governor is certainly a done-deal.
“We are the political engine of ZLP. Had someone is coming to Akure. Well if he comes he will meet only the shell”, he said.
In his response, Governor Akeredolu appreciated the group and assured that none of them would regret their joining forces with him.
Arakunrin Akeredolu said he was humbled by the degree of support people of the state across political, religious and socioeconomic leanings have shown towards getting him reelected.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
