Defection: PDP Chieftain commends Mimiko’s Departure from Labour Party

Michael Adeyeye, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, on Thursday hailed Governor Olusegun Mimiko for retracing his steps back to the party.

Mimiko who won a second term of office on the platform of Labour Party, recently defected to the PDP with the members of his cabinet.

Adeyeye, who was the first chairman of the party in Akure South Local Government Area of the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in  Akure that the entire party members in the area supported the governor’s decision.

“The entire PDP members in Akure South Local Government will find comfort in associating with our leader in the state and we are not prepared to do otherwise.

“Mimiko’s competence and leadership qualities have always been a point of reference as well as a source of envy to many,” he said.

Adeyeye, who is also the Chairman, Ondo State Sports Council, said the governor and his entire structure decided to support President Goodluck Jonathan because of the “wonderful works” of the president in the various sectors of the economy.

He condemned a faction of the party in the state for not abiding by the dissolution of executive councils of the party across the state by the PDP National Working Committee.

The national leadership of the PDP had announced the dissolution of the state executive committee and all other party structures at all levels in the state on Oct. 26.

But almost immediately, Ayo Fadaka, the party’s erstwhile Director of Publicity in the state, issued a statement urging members of the party to disregard the national directives.

“If they are genuinely interested in the success of the PDP as a party, they should embrace Mimiko, who is capable of winning elections for them,” Adeyeye said.

He said that the entry of Mimiko into the PDP would not cause mass movement of people away from the party as being speculated in some quarters.

Adeyeye, who said that the governor consulted widely before taking the decision, pointed out that everybody that mattered supported the defection.

He, therefore, enjoined party faithful to remain calm and continue to work for the progress of the party.