The 2024 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) and the party’s former state chairman in Ondo State, Comrade Fred Akinbuli, has led the entire state structure of the party to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Leaders of the APC in Ondo State, headed by the party’s chairman, Ade Adetimehin, formally received the defectors into the ruling party.
Engineer Adetimehin, while welcoming the new members, congratulated them for joining what he described as a “progressive family.”
He encouraged the defectors to return to their respective wards and actively contribute to the growth and strengthening of the party.
The party chairman remarked that the “APC is a progressive and welfarist party. We are one united family, and we are always open to people of good intentions who are ready to work for the success of the party and the growth of our state.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, praised the APC leadership in the state for its unity and expressed confidence that Ondo State would deliver over 90 percent of votes for President Bola Tinubu in 2027, compared to the 68 percent recorded previously.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo, who was represented by the Director-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, Hon. Olumuyiwa Asagunla, stated that the people of Ondo State would speak with one voice in the 2027 presidential election.
Comrade Fred Akinuli, in his address, described the defection as a significant milestone in his 20-year political career, noting that it was his first-ever defection since joining politics in 2005.
Akinuli explained that the decision to join the ruling party was influenced by its impressive achievements across various sectors and the desire to align with progressive ideals.
He further disclosed that the entire structure of the AA in Ondo State, including party delegates across all local governments, had joined the APC.
Akinuli added that his defection was also influenced by his appointment as the Deputy Director-General of the Progressives Network for Tinubu (PNT), under the leadership of Pastor Olumide Obadele and with the endorsement of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, despite his previous membership in the opposition party.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Progressives Network for Tinubu (PNT) in Ondo State, Pastor Olumide Obadele, commended the efforts of the APC leadership and stakeholders who made the defection possible.
Obadele expressed optimism that the move would further strengthen the APC’s grassroots presence, assuring that the group would deliver over one million votes for the party in future elections.
Addressing journalists, APC State Chairman Engineer Adetimehin said the party had the capacity to accommodate as many new members as possible.
Adetimehin emphasised that “In our party, we believe in the welfare of the people. That’s what makes us progressive. That’s what makes us Omoluabi people.”
Prominent APC leaders at the event included Mrs. Atinuke Akadiri, the State Woman Leader; Hon. Agboola Kelly, a party elder; Hon. Yusuf Ogunleye, Director-General of Grassroots Movement for Tinubu; and Hon. Dayo Awude.
