Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has attributed his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the impactful reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in developing the country.
Mimiko, who joined the ruling party at his Ward 7 in the Ondo West Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, weeks after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), applauded Tinubu for the ongoing economic reforms in the country.
The former governor was received into the APC alongside his supporters by the party’s state chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, and the speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, in Ondo town.
Speaking, Mimiko said he has decided to pitch his tent with the APC to lend his political support to ongoing efforts by President Tinubu at keeping Nigeria on the path of peace and genuine development.
“There are a lot of good things being done by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, and though much more will still have to be done, I am coming in to lend my support to ongoing efforts to keep Nigeria on the path of peace, progress and genuine development,” Mimiko said.
He lauded the president’s educational welfarism support of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a significant intervention aimed at expanding access to education.
The ex-governor also referenced ongoing efforts toward decentralised policing in the country, noting that the initiative aligns with his long-standing support for state police.
Recall that Mimiko, who served as governor of the state between 2009 and 2017, had distanced himself from PDP activities in recent times before formally announcing his resignation from the party over a month ago, stating then that he was “no longer a member” of the opposition party.
Welcoming the former governor into the APC, the party chairman, Kolawole Babatunde, described the former governor’s defection as a “homecoming.”
“Dr. Mimiko is a progressive in all ramifications, having recorded remarkable achievements in health, education, and infrastructure. His coming into the APC is a homecoming,” Mr. Babatunde said.
He added that the policies of the Tinubu administration are yielding positive results and attracting like-minded Nigerians into the ruling party.
“Tinubu’s every initiative and effort are progressive in nature and are yielding positive results that are endearing to other positive and progressive-minded Nigerians,” the APC chair added.
A former federal lawmaker, representing the Ondo East and West Federal Constituency, Joseph Iranola Akinlaja said Mimiko’s defection signals the consolidation of his political structure within the APC in Ondo State.
“Many of us had earlier moved into the APC with his consent. Now, we are satisfied that he has joined us fully so we can collectively work towards future electoral victories for the party,” he said.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
