The Former Works’ Commissioner in Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Ogun, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress to advance her political career.
Mrs Ogun said ahe decided to defect to the ruling party to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection and for the actualisation of the shared prosperity agenda of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The former PDP State Secretary, was received into the party by the APC Chairman in Ido/Osi Local Government, Hon Adewumi Aina among other party bigwigs into Orin/Ora ward.
Addressing the APC leaders at the event, held at her Orin Ekiti country-Home , Mrs Ogun, said she was attracted into APC because of the landmark achievements recorded by the administration of Governor Oyebanji in the last four years.
The former Commissioner stated that she joined the PDP upon the advent of her political career with intention to serve the people, expressing regret that the party derailed in the course of serving the country and could no longer be a veritable vehicle to progress with her service to the people.
“I have gone round and see that the APC remains the best vehicle I can use to advance my political career and to also bring dividends to the people.
“I am really committed to joining the party to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2027 reelection and to also help Governor Oyebanji achieves his agenda for the State.
“I wholeheartedly join the APC today with my teeming supporters across this state. We will begin aggressive campaigns across all the wards in Ido/Osi Local Government soon with full cooperation with other party leaders.
“We are not going to disappoint you, because we are not here to wrestle power from you, but to contribute our own quota”.
Mrs Ogun stated that having garnered over 16 years of experience in the private sector and her being appointed as a Commissioner for Works under Governor Ayodele Fayose attested to the fact that she has robust intellectual and political backgrounds to contribute impressively to APC.
She appreciated former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Ayodele Fayose for their leadership, particularly their support for Governor Oyebanji to make Ekiti great, saying history will continue to be kind to them.
Overwhelmed by the crowd that thronged the venue of the political event, the APC Chairman in Ido/Osi Local Government, Hon Adewumi Aina, who received Ogun and other defectors on behalf of the State Working Committee, described the former Commissioner as a “big fish” in the party, who will add value and advance the course of APC in the council
“My people, now that you have received Mrs Ogun and her supporters into APC, cooperate with them. Don’t discriminate against them. Let me assure you, you have equal rights and privileges like the old members. You have nothing to fear”.
Former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, who is from the ward, saluted Ogun for her commitment to the development of the state, saying she performed creditably well when she had the opportunity to serve the people.
Dr Aderiye expressed confidence that Ogun will add value to the party and shore up its popularity in the council through her enigmatic and impressive contacts across the towns and villages.
Expressing joy over the defection, the member representing Ido/ Osi Constituency II in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Yomi Ayorinde, appealed to the defector to use her experience to stabilise and popularise the party across the council.
Ayorinde stated that the new members should view themselves as partners and strategic members instead of rivals, describing this as the best way her defection can become invaluable benefit to the ruling party.