SOJI AJIBOLA, IBADAN
Over 5,000 members of the Senator Rasidi Ladoja-led Zenith Labour Party and African Democratic Party have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State.
They were received by the State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde and the Chairman, Governor’s Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola a.k.a. Alleluyah at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, the Chairman of ZLP, Comrade Wole Abisoye pledged their allegiance to Governor Makinde and PDP. He, as well, thanked Senator Agboola for facilitating their comeback bid to the PDP.
Noting that they deliberately stayed away from the recent meeting of some leaders of ZLP with the opposition spearheaded by 2019 gubernatorial candidate of the ZLP, Chief Sharafadeen Alli, Abisoye describing PDP as a better option.
He said, “PDP is a better home. I can’t go back to the progressives that I left since Lam Adesina days. Senator Ladoja is aware of this meeting and that’s why you can see Lanbash”, referring to former Governor’s media aide, Alhaji Lanre Bashir and a host of others from across the state.
Speaking, Senator Agboola commended the governor for his giant strides in education, workers’ welfare, infrastructural development across the state and appointment of politicians across political divides
The governor, who was flanked by Senator Agboola and the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Bayo Raji at the event, said the umbrella remained big enough to accommodate all.
Makinde cleared the air on the alleged non-fulfilment of the agreement reached with the coalition partners in the 2019 election, saying a number of the members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ZLP have been integrated into the government.
“Unknown to many, I am in constant touch with Baba Ladoja and we have exchanged messages this morning (Wednesday). Many don’t know and would carry unfounded rumours.
“I want to implore you to go back to your local government and am assuring you that there would be a reward for your labour. I have simplified governance.
“I am not perfect but I am a human who is fallible like every mortal. I have been trying my luck on the political turf since 2007 and it didn’t work until God said it was time.
“On my 2023, and the future, let the will of God be done. Even before I became the governor, all I have always prayed for was that the will of God be done in my life. Whatever God has in store for everyone, it would come at His appointed time, Makinde added.