In a major boost to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, no fewer than 3,000 members of the Accord Party have defected to the party, declaring support for Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The defectors, drawn from all 33 local government areas of the state, were formally received on Friday at a well-attended ceremony held at the APM Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of APM in Oyo State, Otunba Peter Fagbenro, said the party remains united and is the only APM structure recognised at the national level, assuring members that there is no faction within the party.
“We thank God that we are here today and that our party is making progress. This is the only structure recognised nationally, and there is no faction from top to bottom. That is the assurance I want to give us all.
“In our party, we are united and have three things in common. We are Nigerians, we are residents of Oyo State, and we all belong to the same party, APM,” Fagbenro said.
He urged members to remain united and mobilise support for the party ahead of the elections.
“I want to use this opportunity to urge us to stay united, mobilise support for our party and secure victory at the polls. Let us go into the nooks and crannies of our communities and seek the support of our people. Those who do not have voter cards should obtain them because the voter card is our power,” he added.
Welcoming the new members, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi, and Hon. Wasiu Adeleke, thanked them for identifying with the party and assured them that they would be fully integrated into the party’s activities.
“I want to assure all of us that we will work well together because we already regard you as part of us, and I believe God will help us.
“We appreciate you for leaving a party with no clear direction to join a party with focus and vision. This is a party that will give you the opportunity to achieve your aspirations. Let us work together to deliver all our candidates from top to bottom. Our party will continue to deliver prosperity to the people,” they said.
In his remarks, the Oyo State APM deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Mufutau Open Salawu, described the defection as significant, noting that the new members shared the party’s vision and would strengthen its electoral prospects.
“Your decision to join APM is very significant, and we appreciate it. Looking at your composition, I can see that you are like-minded people, and I believe our collaboration will yield positive results.
“We have 351 wards in the state, and no party can confidently claim to be the strongest in all of them. The beauty of our gathering today is our determination to work together, secure votes and emerge victorious. We must win the election.
“Even if there are disagreements among you, do not allow them to affect the support you give to the party. Let us support the continuity agenda of Governor Makinde.
“We want to assure you that when we get into office through your massive support, we will not disappoint you or the people of Oyo State,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, a leader of the Accord Party in the state, Hon. Philip Olasupo, said their decision to leave the party was informed by the protracted court cases and internal crises rocking Accord less than 75 days before the election.
“As you all know, the Accord Party is currently facing a number of court cases and internal crises, with less than 75 days to the election. We do not want to remain in such a situation. We want to join a party that we are confident can win the coming election.
“We believe in Governor Seyi Makinde’s continuity agenda because of his track record in infrastructural and human capital development. We are confident of victory with our decision to join APM,” Olasupo said.
He disclosed that the defectors came from all 33 local government areas of the state and included state executive members and youth leaders.
“We have representatives from all 33 local government areas. We also have state executives here, and we are more than 3,000 members in attendance today. We have youth leaders from all the local government areas,” he stated.
A party leader and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, formally received the defectors into the APM.
With more than 3,000 new members joining its ranks, APM leaders described the development as a major boost to the party’s electoral prospects, expressing confidence that the growing alliance would translate into victory at the polls.
