1,500 PDP members defect to APC in Lagos

PDP

Gbenro Adeoye

No fewer than 1,500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State on Friday defected to the All Progressives Congress, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The report said that the defectors were received by Mr. Olusola Sokunle, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the APC Chairman in the local government area, Alhaji Olamide Kasali.

Sokunle, who was elected into the House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP, had in February, along with six other lawmakers, defected to the ruling party on the floor of the House.

The lawmakers had cited the performance of the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the leadership style of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, as reasons for their defection.

The new defectors were led by a PDP chieftain in the council, Mr. Fola Mosaku, and four councillorship candidates of the party in the July 22 council polls in the state.

Sokunle, while receiving them, said, “The APC is a party to belong to; (it’s a party) where our political aspirations can be met. So, endeavour to frequently attend political meetings in your wards.

“Let us thank Governor Ambode for giving Oshodi a facelift. More projects are still on the way. The door is still open for other interested PDP members to join us.”

He said that the APC-led government had performed beyond expectations, with various development projects executed in different parts of the state.

Also welcoming the defectors, Kasali assured them that the APC would ensure their interests were protected.

The party chairman said that the party would soon begin its membership registration in the wards. He urged all new and old members to go to their various wards for registration upon the commencement of the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mosaku said, “We dumped the PDP for the APC because of the performance of Sokunle.

“We are also motivated by the performance of the APC-led government in Lagos; we will not do a U-turn and return to the PDP.”