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Ondo State Deputy Governor Alhaji Ali Olanusi and his supporters have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress(APC).
This was confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daisi Ajayi, on Thursday.
His statement reads:
“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 put 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,” his statement read.
It was learnt that Olanusi and others in government of Olusegun Mimiko in the state had not been comfortable with the governor’s move from the Labour Party to the PDP.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko is reportedly out of he state campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan
Meanwhile, the state government has said that although Olanusi’s defection came as a surprise to the governor, there was nothing to be worried about.
“The state government just received the news of the defection of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State to the All Progressive Congress.
“Though, it came as a surprise, government acknowledges his right to determine his political affiliation and wishes him well”