The Ekiti state former party Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tope Aluko, has today formerly dump the PDP to join the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying APC has more focus leaders. Aluko, a former ally of former Governor of the State, Ayodele Fayose, stated that progressive party just like the name has been progressive to his life which was demonstrated through various elective and appointive positions his kinsmen are currently enjoying.
He noted that there is no better time than now for him and his teaming supporters to dump the opposition and join the moving train, saying this is to rescue the state ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial election in the state and also ahead of the general election come 2023.
While declaring his official membership of the APC in his ward B secretariat in Lyin Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA of the state, the former PDP chieftain said, “I can boldly say that the APC remains the only party to align with at this present time. All Tope Aluko followers are currently enlisting into APC and I am happy to be part of the moving train.
“I can beat my chest and say I am in safe hands as APC is lucky to be in the hands of focused leaders like Governor Kayode Fayemi, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and others in the state.
According to him, Governor Fayemi has really done well for his people and therefore deserves their loyalty, noting that his coming to APC would certainly add value to the progressive, pledging that he will uphold the APC and its rules with high esteem.
Although he described former governor Fayose as a mentor brother and friend, he revealed that he informed the Governor last December that he would consolidate his politics in line and was mulling joining the progressives and Fayose endorsed his decision, therefore, he was optimistic his defection would not affect his relationship with Fayose.
The State Party Chairman, Paul Omotoso, who accepted Aluko into the fold of progressive with his supporters, expressed happiness saying Aluko was not just one person but a big fish.
Omotoso urged his party faithful to be steadfast in their support for the APC through enjoying the party with the newcomers as normal members of the progressives without discrimination.
In his statement, “For the sake of clarification, Tope Aluko had for long been in APC, this ceremony is just a formality. I know our people in the opposition are rattled by this defection because his decamping into APC will affect them adversely,”.
