The political atmosphere in Nigeria is getting interesting on all fronts. The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The respected politicians’s defection to the APC was confirmed on Thursday on Akure, the state capital: “It is true. He has moved to the APC,” the Deputy Governor’s press secretary confirmed.
According to the release signed by Olanusi, ”
In the unfolding political development in our country today, and in Ondo State in particular, it is increasingly clear that I need to chart a new course for majority of my followers who look up to me for direction and leadership and who have watched helplessly in the last six (6) years, the untold marginalization and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place.
While still being in place as the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressives Congress (APC) where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty – a party which majority of our kith and kins in Yorubaland belongs.
I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the Southwest and the nation”
Sources says Olanusi fell out with Governor Segun Mimiko over his decision to move from the Labour Party to the PDP. In fact, so many aides of Mimiko also disagreed with the switch from the Labour Party to the PDP.
Mimiko had pulled a masterstroke on his former boss, late Governor Olusegun Agagu, when he pulled out Olanusi from the PDP and announced him as his running mate on the platform of the Labour Party. Olanusi was then the Chairman of the PDP in Ondo State.
With Mimiko’s decision to move to the PDP from the Labour Party, several of his lieutenants disagreed with him.
The political atmosphere in the state is tensed at the moment.
The respected Deputy Governor is scheduled to meet with the leaders of the APC in Ondo State formally. In a press statement he personally signed, Olanusi said:
“In the unfolding development in our country today and in Ondo state in particular, it is increasingly clear that I need to chart a new course for majority of my followers who looked up to me for direction and leadership and who watched helplessly in the last six years the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to out in place.
“While still in place as the democratically deputy governor of Ondo state, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into All Progressives Congress, APC, where we can find fairness, justice, equity and democratic liberty to which majority of our kith and kins in Yorubaland belong.
“I have taken this decision at this crucial time in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and overall development of the south west and the nation.”