…..HON. TOMIDE AKINRIBIDO DEFECTS TO THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), RALLIES SUPPORT FOR GOV AIYEDATIWA
It was a carnival like yesterday when the immediate past member of the Ondo State House of Assembly who represented Ondo west constituency 1, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a well-attended ward declaration rally by party leaders at the Ondo west APC secretariat, Yaba, Ondo City.
The former lawmaker who was a deputy-minority leader in the state assembly, defected to the APC after resigning his membership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) last Friday.
Speaking during a brief Ward declaration event on Monday, the Governor of Ondo state, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described Hon. Akinribido as a home-bred politician with superb antecedents and envious records during his stint as state legislator.
The Governor was represented by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon Olamide Oladiji, while the Ondo state chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who was represented by the state Financial Secretary of the APC, Chief Olu Akinbohun said the defection of Hon. Akinribido was a dream come true, alluding that the former lawmaker possesses a high level of intellect and capacity that the APC would benefit from.
Also speaking at the event,the member representing Ondo east/west federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiola Makinde eulogized Hon. Akinribido as a fantastic young man who is well-behaved, polite and humble,asserting that his defection to the APC will add strength to the party’s political capital particularly in Ondo kingdom.
The Ondo west local government chairman of the APC, Hon. Bernard Aro thereafter presented Hon. Tomide to the party stakeholders and members there present,revealing that all the party executives from the local government to ward levels were excited to have him on board.
This was followed by a presentation of membership card to Hon. Akinribido by the Ward 7 chairman of Ondo west APC, Mr. Mayowa Oladele.
Finally, Hon. Akinribido expressed his joy at joining the progressives family and committed himself to working with the party structure, leadership,stakeholders and members without sentiments.
He further said his decision to join the APC was born out of his conviction that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has the required capacity and political will to steer the ship of the state perfectly and better the lots of the Ondo state citizenry.
He went on to appeal to the party stakeholders to rally round the Governor and ensure he continues in office beyond 2025.
Rounding off his speech, he requested the gathering to observe a minute silence in memory of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Dignitaries present at the event included Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon Olamide Oladiji and Deputy Speaker; Rt. Hon Abayomi Akinruntan, Member of the House of Representatives; Hon. Abiola Makinde, Former Majority leader of Lagos state and Ex-Special Adviser to Ondo state Governor, Hon. Dr Jibayo Adeyeye; Member of the Ondo state house of assembly, Hon. Abiola Oladapo; State Financial Secretary of the APC;Chief Olu Akinbohun; Ex-Commissioner for Tourism, Hon. Wale Akinlosotu; Chairman of Ondo State Signage&Advertising Agency, Hon. Akinwande Akinrodoye; the Commissioner representing Ondo Central in the OSOPADEC board, Hon. Akinrotoye Kehinde; Ex-Caretaker Chairman of North West LCDA, Hon. Onidare Sunday Bukunmi; Ex- Vice chairman of Ondo west local government; Hon. Folajimi Akintunde,Ex- caretaker vice chairman of Ondo west Local Government, Alhaji Oluwole Bashiru; Ex-Vice chairman of Ondo south west LCDA; Hon. Maxwell Adelosoye and other stakeholders too numerous to mention.
Ayodele Ogundolire, S.A media & communications to Hon Tomide reporting.
