By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
The wave of defection hitting the main Opposition Party in Kogi State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued on Saturday after a Chieftain of the Party, Engineer John Olorunjuwon Ibishagba and his teaming supporters joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is coming a few weeks after the Loyalist of Senator Dino Melaye, Candidate of PDP in the last State Governorship Election, Hon. Kingsley Mokikan and some African Democratic Congress supporters dumped their parties for APC.
Speaking at the defection ceremony at Ayede-Bunu, Engr. Ibishagba says he is leaving the main opposition party after 25 years based on the need to attract dividends of democracy to the people of Olle Community, who had lacked government patronage.
According to him, the leadership qualities of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo and the manner with which he is piloting the affairs of the State endeared him and his supporters to the APC.
He noted that their coming to APC is to give one hundred percent loyalty and support, saying all impediments to winning elections by the ruling party has now become a thing of the past.
“Today, I’m changing my party not because the party is not existing but because I believe in the ideals of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo. He has started well and I learnt he paid workers salaries on 21st of August. This has never happened before and the people are happy with this gesture.
Engr. Ibishagba maintained that he is bringing his over 25 years experience and integrity to bear in the discharge of his duty to the APC,
He added that he was overwhelmed by the support and the warm reception accorded him and his supporters, and the deplorable Kabba-Ayede-Olle Road will soon get government attention.
Engr. Ibishagba used the occasion to congratulate Governor Ododo on his Supreme Court Verdict, which affirmed his victory at the November 11th Governorship Election which was challenged by some opposition parties.
In his remarks, Hon. Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Education said the defection of Engr. Ibishagba and his supporters from the PDP is a clear indication that the party is dead in the Ward and Kabba-Bunu Local Government.
Hon. Jones, who was elated by the development says the Party in the Local Government is on a mission to comb opposition parties and win them over to the APC.
He appealed to the new Entrants and existing members to continue to promote the ideals of the Party, saying capacity of members will be rewarded.
On his part, the Local Government Party Chairman, Mr. Solomon Jembawondo applauded the leadership and supporters of the APC in the Ward for working hard to attract more persons to the party.
Mr. Jembawondo urged the new members not to create factions within the party but work collectively to continue to make APC a Party to beat in future elections.
The ceremony was also attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Hon. Bode Adeyemi, his Arts and Culture counterpart, Hon. Juwon Olorunnipa popularly known as Jumabee, Special Adviser on Security, Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Moses Olorunleke, former House of Assembly member, Hon. Nathaniel Taiwo among others.
