Two former supporters of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, and Dr Pius Osunyikanmi, have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akinyelure represented Ondo Central, Mimiko’s senatorial district, in the 7th National Assembly.
Osunyikanmi was Mimiko’s personal assistant and commissioner for Health under the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati.
He also served the governor in other capacities such as special assistant, senior special assistant and commissioner for Education. He was special adviser on International Relations to President Goodluck Jonathan before becoming the director-general of the Technical Aids Corp.
As stated by Akinyelure and Osunyinkami, in a statement yesterday, they left the PDP with their supporters because of the need to support the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
The statement read: “We are most delighted to announce our formal declaration for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. This declaration, which has ignited the fire of passionate endorsements across the state, followed our historic disengagement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
They said their decision was taken after several months of wide consultations with their esteemed leaders, constructive constituents, fervent followers and very distinguished admirers from the length and breadth of Ondo State.
“The mood in Ondo State, as clearly expressed in the last general election, shows that the people truly want a change. In spite of the fact that we have a PDP government in the state, our people voted massively for President Mohammadu Buhari of the APC. That situation has not changed. In fact, the calls for total change at all levels of governance in the state are getting more stringent due to the failure of the PDP-led state government to deliver democracy dividends to the people.