PHOTOS: Popular PDP Chieftain Defects to the APC in Ondo

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lost one of its major members in Ondo state.

Chief Olusola Oke, the PDP governorship candidate in the 2012 governorship election in the state has concluded plans to defect officially to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

An aide of Oke who spoke to a Saharareporters correspondent under condition of anonymity in Akure, said Oke had last weekend met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his defection plans.

Obasanjo reportedly gave him his blessing to go ahead with his plans. Oke met with leaders of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Akure, while arrangement on his defection has been concluded.

The aide said, “Chief Olusola Oke at the late hour of yesterday midnight met with the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Kekemeke and other leaders of the party which includes Tayo Alasoadura inside the party’s secretariat.

“The meeting was a very long one because several considerations have to be put in place and mind you, Oke was at the midnight meeting with only trusted allays from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Some of the considerations was that he (Oke) would be defecting alongside a horde supporters from to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which literary means he is coming with a whole structure to the party, and there must be room to accommodate them all”, he said.

A press conference for Oke to address journalists on the reason for leaving the PDP for the opposition APC has already been penned down today.

Tayo Alasoadura, a leader of the party and senator-elect from the Ondo central senatorial district of the state who was also at the midnight meeting has confirmed Oke’s defection.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that Olusola Oke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is now in the All Progressives Congress (APC). We have talked and ironed out how the party would accommodate us all. He would be coming with a big structure, and there is enough room to accommodate them all.

“His defection would put heat on his former party and is going to be a crack on their wall because more people are coming. You remembered the Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi is now with us, and I can assure you that many more will join us in days to come”, he said.

Oke have been having a running battle with the governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko since the defection of latter to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The governor had dominated the party and forcefully hijacked its structure.