Ex-Guber Candidate, others dump PDP for APC in Ekiti

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By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Ekiti State, Otunba Yinka Akerele has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) accusing his former party of derailing from the vision and ideals of its founding fathers to use power to make life easier for the people.
Akerele who officially pitched tent with the APC at a rally held in Ayede Ward 09 in Ayede Ekiti, Oye Local Government at the weekend said he took the decision because the PDP has inflicted hardship on the masses.
He joined the APC alongside former Oye Local Government Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Akerele with scores of their supporters.
They were received by the the APC Chairman, Olajide Awe who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye.
Akerele was a governorship aspirant in the PDP where he was denied the party’s ticket after winning the primary in 2007.
He later emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) before returning to PDP.
Akerele who served as the former Chairman of Ekiti State Road Maintenance Agency (EKROMA) said he took the decision to leave the PDP because the party has lost focus and has become a one-man show in Ekiti.
He accused Governor Ayo Fayose of turning deaf ears to the cries of the suffering masses saying the ongoing construction of a flyover would only enrich Fayose and his cronies as the project is not what Ekiti people needed at this time.
Akerele alleged that many political office holders working under Fayose are suffering because the governor allegedly personalized power revealing that commissioners are owed up to five month arrears of salaries and they dare not complain.
He promised to cooperate with other APC leaders and members to chase what he described as PDP “government of locust” from power in Ekiti to bring relief to the people of the state who are now poorer than when Fayose came to power.
Former Senior Special Assistant to former Minister of Works, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, described the APC as a more democratic party that runs a masses-oriented manifesto promising to work harder to mobilize more members into his new party.
Receiving Akerele after presenting him and others who joined with the party’s symbol, the broom, Awe said they will henceforth enjoy the same benefits like old members.
Describing Akerele as a strong grassroots politician, Awe said the new members will add value to the APC and work for its growth and development in their areas.
The APC boss said the party is getting stronger everyday with the magnitude of people joining from other parties saying the door is still open to accommodate new members.
He said the party is determined to sweep those he described as interlopers from power and provide good governance and better life.

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