Some aides of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and chieftains of the Accord Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, preparatory for August 15 governorship election in the state.
The defectors announced their defection on Tuesday.
Those who joined the APC are the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Affairs, Mr. Moyoade Lukman, and the Senior Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office, Mr. Azeez Kazeem.
Others include Accord Party House of Representatives aspirant for Ife Federal Constituency, Dr. Leye Olagbaju; the party’s youth leader in Ife Central Local Government Area, Asamo Gbenga; and Mr. Ojuolape Olagbaju.
Speaking with journalists at Ileri-Oluwa House in Osogbo, Dr. Olagbaju said his decision to join the APC was based on his conviction that APC governorship candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, possesses the capacity to drive the growth and development of Osun State.
“We will deploy the political structures we have built over the years to support the ambition of Mr. Bola Oyebamiji and, by the grace of God, ensure his victory in the August 15 election. He is capable and possesses the qualities of a prepared leader,” he said.
Also speaking, Lukman said his return to the APC was a homecoming to the progressive political family, adding that his experiences outside the fold influenced his decision.
Responding, the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Mr. Wole Oke, welcomed the defectors and assured them of equal opportunities within the party.
According to him, the APC’s primary focus remains securing victory in the forthcoming governorship election.
Oke further claimed that more aides of Governor Adeleke were preparing to join the APC and that the party would make further announcements at the appropriate time.