By Dupson Collins, 8th April, 2023
In the build up to the 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has begun move to harvest some political juggernauts in the opposition People’s Democratic Party to its fold.
One of the leaders the party is eyeing is the Akure born politician and philanthropist, Barr Olumuyiwa Adu who was the candidate of PDP in the Bye Election of the Akure South and Akure North Federal Constituency.
Cubana as popularly called by admirers has a wide spread supporters across the state and his political influence in the politics of the state capital is an added advantage to any political party he belongs to.
While consultations are in top gear on how to woos one of the Financial Leaders of PDP and ardent supporter of Eyitayo Jegede SAN to APC, his rumour defection has thrown the PDP Leaders in Akure off balance because they knew that Adu defection to the ruling APC might be the final nail on the PDP coffin in Ondo State.
It could be recalled that in the just concluded general election, the opposition party managed to secured one House of Representatives seat and four House of Assembly seats unlike 2019 where the party had two Senators, 3 Reps and two Assembly Members.
PATH learnt that, though Barr Adu has not officially declare his defection to APC but at the same time didn’t dispel the rumour of a move to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
The rumored defecton was linked to the manner the politician was treated as an outcast in the party he invested his time, energy and resources in the last Presidential Election where he was a member of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.
As a Member of Atiku PCC, Insider within the party revealed that he was never for once invited for meetings or in the know of how the Campaign Council is being run in the state but only contacted whenever they are financially handicap. To Adu supporters, they believe it was a deliberate attempt to whittle down his political influence among the people having seen his soaring popularity.
Another reason why Adu might want to leave the party is unruling behavior and I don’t care attitude of the leadership of the party at both the local and state levels after he lost the Bye Election. The Fatai Adams led State Executives of the party shown lackadaisical attitude toward him while trying to reclaim his stolen mandate at both the Tribunal and Appellate Court.
It was gathered that after the Bye Election, the party under which he flew it ticket was less concern, living him to carry his cross. To make the matter worse, no committee or meeting was called to review the outcome of the bye election”.
Aside this, Adu forays into politics was anchored on his zeal and passion to extend hands of love, help and assistance to his people. He believes as individual, there is little he could do but occupying a political office, more lives would be touched. The People’s Democratic Party has not provided the platform to actualize his vision for the people being an opposition who is more divided than any other party.
The last Presidential Election which ought to be an opportunity for the party to come back to limelight was mess up by ego and selfish interest of leader within the state who want to attribute the success and victory of Atiku to himself but unfortunately, the outcome of the poll was massive failure. The pertinent question is, how would he helps and change the living conditions of his people if he continues with unserious party that was build on ego and certain cabals?
PATH further learnt that Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu is on consultation with the leaders of the party and teeming supporters who are waiting for his next political move.
If the defection materialize, thousands of PDP leaders and supporters will go with Adu to APC; though, some leaders of the party are prevailing on Adu not to leave but it seems the Akure born politician has made up his mind to join the progressive party.
The people of the state can’t wait to witness mother of all defection of Dr Adu to APC and the political analyst can begin to analyze the implications as the state is warming up for 2024 Governorship Election.
