Prominent political gladiators in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Action Alliance (AA) under the umbrella Nigeria Workstation yesterday in their large number defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Those who decamped were led by Hon. Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, Convener of the Nigeria Workstation, who resigned as the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in April, 2025; High Chief Olutope Adebambo, former Chairman of Akoko Northwest Local Government; the chieftain of SDP, Chief (Mrs) Rachael Ajayi, 2020 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the SDP; Hon. Blessing Ologun, immediate past Assistant State Treasurer of the PDP; and Hon. Omotayo Obolo, aka Mitchel, former Special Assistant to former Governor Mimiko among other top politicians.
Addressing the ceremony held at Akure City Hall, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, appealed to the people of Ondo State to unite and speak with one voice in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Tunji-Ojo, who was represented by Chief Muyiwa Asagunla, in his goodwill message at the well-attended ceremony marking the defection of the key chieftains of the opposition parties.
The Minister, who facilitated the mass defection, applauded President Tinubu for the ongoing infrastructural projects in the state, including the construction of the Ore-Akure Road, the dualisation of Ilesha–Akure–Benin Road, and the Akure–Ado-Ekiti Road, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which passes through Ondo State.
He described these projects and other reforms initiated by the President as laudable, stressing that such developmental efforts must be sustained beyond 2027.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the State Chairman of the party, Engr Ade Adetimehin, welcomed the new members into what he described as a party “with enough room to accommodate all.”
Adetimehin commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that its impact has been positively felt across Ondo State.
The APC Chairman pleaded with the people to continue supporting the President’s administration to ensure the continuation of his good works.
He assured the new members of equal opportunities in the party, adding that the APC remains committed to inclusiveness and progress for all members.
Earlier in his remarks, the CONVENER OF NIGERIA WORKSTATION, KENNEDY IKANTU PERETEI, said “Let me take my reference from Harold Laswell’s universally accepted definition of politics as “who gets what, when and how”. There is a friend of mine who also defined politics simply as ” Election and Government”. If you marry these two definitions, you will come to the realisation that, if you are in politics and not in government, you are just in a social club.
“I do not mean that, Nigeria should be a one party State. But when the leadership of the opposition is not deliberate, coordinated and focused on how to win elections and therefore form government, then, there will be no justification for being in opposition.
“It is against this background that today, those of us in the Nigeria Workstation, a Grassroots Media Advocacy, Research and Strategy Group, comprising former members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party, SDP and Action Alliance, AA decided to join forces with the progressive family. Also in this hall are harvests of Sunshine Grassroots Network, a group whose mandate is to clean up the remnant of the opposition and align them with the APC.
“Recently, some opposition figures criticized President Bola Tinubu for trying to foist a single political party on Nigerians. His reply was very straightforward and simple. “It is not my business to organize the opposition”. Is there anything to add?
“Today, you have seen the faces of what was referred to as the last plank of opposition. Hence, from today, there is only one party in Ondo State, which is the APC. Perhaps from the grave yard, there may be one or two shrill sounds. Such don’t amount to much, they are mere echoes.
“The people present here represent a small fraction of our numerical strength as it is impossible to mobilise all our supporters to this City Hall. But we make bold to declare that, the significance of today will be appreciated in the next round of elections in Ondo State.
“We wish to specially thank Engr. Ade Adetimehin and members of the State Executive Committee of the APC for opening their doors wide to accept us.
“In the build up to this ceremony Mr. Governor Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa was fantastic. We sincerely appreciate him. We use Ambassador Sola Iji, former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo as point of contact to appreciate APC stakeholders who have come to Grace this ceremony. Dr. Tob Loko, Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Ondo State, Ese-Odo Local Government, High Chief Ebi Molos, High Chief J.M Magi, High Chief P.M.S Olopele.
“There are many more who were unable to make it to this ceremony but sent support and kind words. Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, Chief Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO) fall into this category.We see this as an “Endorsement” which we are not taking for granted.
“The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Star Boy of the Tinubu administration is profoundly appreciated for providing a ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ kind of support for making today a reality. It is impossible to mention all those who have made this happen by name. To all of them we appreciate,” Peretei said.
