Update: Ondo deputy dumps Mimiko, PDP, decamp to APC

Barely two days to the presidential election, the Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the rival All Progressives Congress in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Olanusi said, “While still being in place as the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressive Congress where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty, a party to which majority of our kith and kins in Yorubaland belong.

“I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the South West and the nation.”

Although, Olanusi had been having a running battle with Governor Olusegun Mimiko, even while they were in the Labour Party, the duo managed to stay together until Thursday when he left the ruling party.

The state government has said the defection of Olanusi to the APC was his right to political affiliation.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, on Thursday in Akure noted that although the government received the news with surprise, noting that it had nothing to worry about.

“The state government  just received the news of the defection of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State to the All Progressive Congress.

“Though, it came as a surprise,  government acknowledges his right to determine his political affiliation and wishes  him well,” Akinmade said.

Update: Ondo deputy dumps Mimiko, PDP, decamp to APC