APC, PDP in war of words over defections

The political landscape in Ondo State has witnessed a heated exchange between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mr. Ade Adetimehin, the leader of the APC in the state, has asserted that the PDP’s influence has dwindled significantly due to a substantial number of its members defecting to the APC. In response, the PDP, represented by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, has confidently declared that they remain undeterred by these defections.

Adetimehin emphasized, “Among all the political parties operating in Ondo State, the APC stands out as a bastion of unity. Our party is characterized by cohesion and a notable absence of internal conflicts. We operate harmoniously under the able leadership of Governor Akeredolu, a man who firmly upholds the supremacy of the party.”

He further elaborated, “Governor Akeredolu refrains from meddling in the party’s internal affairs, allowing it to function effectively. This commitment to maintaining a clear delineation between party and government has been instrumental in fostering unity within the party. It is this unity that positions us as the preeminent political force in the state.”

“That is why many members of opposition political parties are coming to join the APC in Ondo State. Three days ago, the grassroots strength of the PDP totally collapsed into the APC. All the former vice chairmen and 203 former councilors defected to the APC.

In Idanre, the Chairman of the PDP Elders Forum joined the APC. The PDP has gone into extinction in Ondo.”

On the other hand, the PDP’s spokesman said “Adetimehin is probably the only person who is oblivious of the fact that Ondo State people hold his party, APC, and its inhuman government responsible for their suffering and agony of the last eight years. Especially the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and its biting effect on everybody.

He does not realise that even those who were tricked to vote APC in the 2023 general elections are already regretting and lamenting the miscalculation that has brought about untold hardship for them and their families.

“To say ‘PDP is now extinct’ is not only laughable but mischief of the highest order. The majority of the 203 Councillors Adetimehin is celebrating for joining his party have not been active in the last two cycles of elections in Ondo State. A few of them have been in the APC since 2016. How the defection of such characters translates to PDP being extinct can only be understood by someone like Adetimehin.

The PDP in Ondo State is unruffled by a few persons who are in a self-destruct misadventure in Adetimehin’s sinking APC ship. While we sympathise with such persons, it is pathetic that those who should be weeping are dancing and rejoicing. But in no distant time, reality will dawn on them that, indeed, they lived a lie all along. PDP cannot be extinct, there are no such signs. And it will never be.”