The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade has received hundreds of defectors from the African Democratic Congress, ADC and ruling All Progressives Congress in Ipokia, into the folds of the Party.

While receiving the defectors, the Director General of Atiku/Okowa Campaign Committee in the State, handed the defectors a copy of the alliance pact he signed with PDP, and assured them of equality.

According to a statement by the media aide to Akinlade, Adelani Azeez, the gesture was a demonstration of his selfless and noble intention for moving to the PDP.

“Recall that Akinlade had earlier said that his intentions as regards moving to the PDP was selfless and noble, he once again displayed what he is truly made of today when he publicly handed over a copy of the agreement, he entered with Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and the PDP some few months ago.

Akinlade stated that the purpose of his Alliance Agreement with Adebutu and the PDP was to allay fears and concerns of his followers from the Senator Ibikunle Amosun's group within the All Progressives Congress when it comes to their stake in the PDP.

He noted that his decision to team up with Adebutu and PDP was borne out of genuine concern about the state of Ogun State, it’s people and not himself.

“Leadership of the defectors numbering over five hundred were received by Hon. Akinlade, alongside the PDP party Chairman in Ipokia local government, Hon. Alimi Orisadare, the State Deputy Chairman, Hon. Kayode Imisi at a well attended reception ceremony which held at the party's secretariat in Ipokia.”

According to the statemen, the defectors from ADC/APC were led by Hon. Michael Olalowo.

Olalowo was said to be the former chairman of APC, APM and until the defection, the leader of ADC in Ipokia local government.

Addressing the audience, Olalowo noted that it is a home coming at last since they all started with Sen. Ibikunle Amosun in PDP as far back as 2002.

“They followed him from one political party to another, but today, it is 360 back to PDP.”

He further noted that with the likes of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, Hon. Hosu and Hon. Mautin on the ballot in Ipokia, PDP is definitely the party to beat.

The leaders of the group also noted that apart from their love for Hon. Akinlade whom they supported in 2015 Reps aspiration which he won, 2019 gubernatorial, they want to support a party that is well prepared to deliver good governance, with attractive blueprint to remodel Ogun State.

According to them, they also hoped that the PDP will facilitate grassroots development, promising to return home and mobilize other potential voters in Ipokia to deliver unprecedented victory for PDP come February 25th and March 11th 2023.

While handing over the party's flags and copies of the alliance agreement to the defectors, Akinlade said, "Our journey to PDP can be likened to that of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ in the Bible. You all know that I am a product of the Sen. Amosun's political structure. This my joining PDP is to clear the ground for you all”.

"I cannot be a commissioner, special adviser or SSA at the same time as the Deputy Governor, so this document is for all our people that will be joining us to send Gov. Dapo Abiodun back to his “corporate world”, so we can collectively start the process of healing and rebuilding our dear State.

"It gives me great pleasure and honor to handover this signed and sealed alliance agreement to our Chairman from ADC/APC. We will be sharing copies of this agreement with our brothers and sisters that will be joining us from ADC/APC as I stated earlier, we have done the needful as responsible and responsive leaders, all you need to do is join this great party and deliver PDP all through", he stated.