The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State traded barbs on Wednesday over the defection of some members to the ruling party in preparation for the November 2024 governorship election in the state.
Fatai Adams, the PDP chairman in the state, addressed journalists in Akure, claiming that many members who had initially joined the APC were now quietly returning to the opposition party. Adams refuted statements by Ade Adetimehin, the APC chairman, about PDP members defecting to the APC regularly.
Adams stated, “About two months ago, Adetimehin (APC chairman) declared that seven members of the State Working Committee of PDP would decamp to his party in days, weeks and months have since gone by, nothing of such happened and will not happen. Again at their peace meeting with President Tinubu, he said that PDP members are decamping to his APC every day, this of course is another lie.”
He acknowledged losing some members to the APC but asserted that Adetimehin’s tactics and managerial ability had led many who joined the APC to return quietly to the PDP. Adams hinted at celebrating their return at the appropriate time.
In response, Ade Adetimehin challenged the PDP to disclose the names of its members who had initially defected to the APC and were now returning quietly. He questioned why those who had left the opposition for the ruling party would choose to return, suggesting that the PDP lacked an understanding of political dynamics.
In August, some PDP members in the 18 local government areas of the state defected to the APC, citing the exceptional leadership of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as the reason for their decision. The defectors, including former vice-chairmen and 203 councillors, left the opposition party for the APC under the Ondo Forum of Vice Chairmen and Councillors.
