Ondo Gubernatorial Race: Ex-PDP Women Leader, Others Defect to APC

On Monday, Mrs. Esther Ebieonjumi, who was previously a prominent leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, made a significant political shift by joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Her departure from the PDP was motivated by her dissatisfaction with the leadership style of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which she cited as the main reason for her exit.

In her announcement of the defection, Ebieonjumi expressed her disappointment with the PDP’s lack of effective leadership and stated, “I am officially joining the APC, accompanied by other women leaders from the PDP in Okitipupa.” This move came after she resigned from her role as the state party woman leader of the PDP just the previous month.

Ebieonjumi’s defection is seen as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the APC’s position in the upcoming governorship election. She pledged her commitment to ensuring the APC’s success in the southern senatorial district. Her plan involves initiating a comprehensive door-to-door campaign to support Aiyedatiwa and the APC, with the goal of securing a victory in the election scheduled for November 16.

Governor Aiyedatiwa responded positively to Ebieonjumi’s shift to the APC, viewing it as a beneficial development for his party. He expressed optimism that this would be the beginning of a larger influx of PDP members into the APC. “We anticipate that many more members and leaders from the PDP will join us soon,” he remarked. The governor urged both long-time and new APC members to unite and collaborate closely. He emphasized the importance of collective effort in ensuring that the APC maintains its hold on power in the state.

In addition to addressing the political developments, Governor Aiyedatiwa took the opportunity to acknowledge and address several issues raised during the event. These included concerns about infrastructure, electricity, and employment. The governor assured attendees that these matters would be thoroughly examined and that steps would be taken to address them effectively.

During the event, Dr. Joshua Orogbemi Akintan, founder of Zion Gospellers’ Church and a representative of the Council of Primates in Okitipupa Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to the governor. He commended Aiyedatiwa for his engagement with the grassroots and assured him of the community’s full support for his administration.

The event also saw the Odatiwa Women Initiative, led by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Women Affairs, distributing aprons and food items to women in the local area. This initiative was part of a broader effort to support and uplift the community.
Earlier in the day, Governor Aiyedatiwa held a stakeholder meeting with APC members in the Ilaje Local Government Area at Igbokoda.
This meeting was part of his ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s presence and ensure widespread support ahead of the governorship election.