 in the November 16, 2023, Ondo State governorship election){kind=link}
A former deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the November 16, 2023, Ondo State governorship election, Hon. Dayo Awude, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside scores of his supporters.
Awude, who was a prominent supporter of LP’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, joined the APC with members of the Sunshine Grassroots Network (SGN) from across the state’s 18 local government areas.
They were formally received into the ruling party by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during a ceremony held at the Akure Town Hall on Monday.
Before joining the LP, Awude was a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He defected to the APC along with the former chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Dele Ogunbamerun.
Speaking at the event, Awude said his decision was motivated by the developmental strides of Governor Aiyedatiwa and the progressive achievements of President Bola Tinubu.
“The current President [Tinubu] is our son in the Southwest. Should we now open our eyes to allow some people to chase him away in the 2027 general election? No. We must come under this party to ensure he is victorious.
“Yoruba land must be great. We must join hands for its progress. We have come to add value to the APC. I can assure Mr Governor [Aiyedatiwa] that our coming to the party will increase support, especially for President Bola Tinubu.
“So, I’m asking our people to go back to their units and wards to get integrated. We are here for progress and to support our son [Tinubu] and to also support the government of Lucky Aiyedatiwa,” he said.
Also speaking, Dele Ogunbamerun described their defection as an opportunity to serve and contribute to President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“I see our coming as an opportunity to work. I have gone through a lot in other political parties, but I thank God I am now back home. I appreciate Dayo Awude, who leads us into the fold of the APC.”
The APC State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, commended Awude’s decision to join the ruling party, describing him as a man of capacity with significant political influence in Akure.
He assured the new members of a level playing field and urged them to mobilise support for the party from the grassroots.
“So, I welcome you all to this party, and we are happy to also receive you, but don’t forget that any politician who cannot deliver his unit and ward is not a politician. I urge all our new members to work towards strengthening the party at the grassroots,” Adetimehin said.