Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finally forced janus-faced Governor of Ondo State; Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to dump the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 general election. Presidency sources told Saharareporters that Dr. Mimiko had been playing games with the party refusing to decamp several times after promising to do
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finally forced janus-faced Governor of Ondo State; Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to dump the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 general election. Presidency sources told Saharareporters that Dr. Mimiko had been playing games with the party refusing to decamp several times after promising to do so.
At a well attended event held at the State House, in Abuja, Mimiko read a prepapred speech saying he was returning to the PDP alongside members of the House of Assembly, Federal lawmakers from the state and members of the State Executive Council and some LP state executive members.
He declared that his decision to return formally follows repeated consultation with major stakeholders of both the LP and PDP in his state.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that I, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, following extensive consultations across the land, today formally announce the decision of members of National Assembly from the LP in Ondo State, members of the LP in the Ondo State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and indeed all those who share our aspirations, to join the PDP.
“This decision arose after a period of consultation with major stakeholders in Ondo State, which include the aforementioned as well as traditional and religious leaders, market men and women, artisans, trade unions and community as well as party leaders”.
The Governor claimed that his earlier plans to join the PDP was tormenting but was later hinged on the overall interest of the people.
“I must confess that it surely was tempting and perhaps more fulfilling to continue as a national leader in our smaller, calmer and quite promising ocean represented by the Labour Party.
“But this decision to return to the PDP, we have taken in the overall interest of our people and our nation, and its democracy which for those who are perceptive enough to notice, is now mortally endangered by a constellation of forces which must be confronted."
With his defection, Mimiko is expected to lead the presidential campaign for the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in the South West region.
The Vice President, Namadi Sabo, Senate President, David Mark, Senator Bode Olajumoke and other PDP bigwigs were present at the official declaration of the governor.