The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo state chapter has dismissed the rumour making the rounds that the state governor, Olawarotimi Akeredolu, is planning to defect to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a ruse.
The party, which describing the governor as a progressive who will not mingle with any party aside from the APC, said in a statement issued Monday that the alleged rumour was a ploy by members of the opposition PDP that are not comfortable with the achievements of Akeredolu in the state.
The statement signed by the party’s state publicity secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said: “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo state has been drawn to a rumour making the rounds that the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is hobnobbing with the Peoples Democratic Party with a view to defecting to that party ahead of the next governorship election.
“The party consider this rumour as wicked and a complete lie, and urge the public to disregard it.
“Though we would have preferred to ignore this irresponsible rumour, it is however expedient to dispel the rumour, so it will not pollute the minds of our members, and mislead the public.
“The governor has never contemplated joining a party of the conservatives, let alone contesting election on its platform. He hails from the bedrock of progressives in the State, and has always been a progressive.
“It is also imperative to inform the rumour-mongers that Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu invested so much into the development of APC in Ondo state. Today, he is well respected and appreciated in the APC, and therefore has no reason whatsoever to flirt with another political party.
“We are not unaware that some opposition parties are feeling intimidated by the sterling performance of the Akeredolu-led administration, and are planning to distract him through whatever means. This is a mission in futility.
“The government is not perturbed about this or any other ploy. The revolution in the infrastructure development will be sustained; massive investment drive won’t slow down; commitment to workers’ welfare remains a top priority.”
Kalejaye stressed that, “for the avoidance of doubt, the good people of Ondo state, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of these initiatives, have consistently maintained that they are comfortable with the present administration, and will always support it.
“The Ondo state APC is confident that the party will continue to fortify its strength, and support the government in its development drive, building of the party and its members.
“The party appeals to its supporters to disregard the baseless and misleading publication, and consign it to the dustbin of history, where it rightly belongs,” the statement read.
The party had only recently suspended the governor and Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha for alleged anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, the PDP, had in a statement issued earlier, pledged its resolve to accept Akeredolu into its fold, but was quick to say the governor must be prepared to forget preferential treatment to the detriment of those he met in the party.
