Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has at last formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mimiko led two members of the National Assembly from the state, all the 26 members of the state House of Assembly, all members of the State Executive Council and his supporters to the PDP.
He made the formal declaration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at an event presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
“I, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, following extensive consultations across the land, today finally announce the decision of members of the National Assembly from the LP in Ondo State, members of the LP in the Ondo State, members of the LP in the Ondo State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and indeed all those who share our aspirations, to join the PDP,” Mimiko told the gathering that included the President of the Senate, David Mark; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and leaders of the PDP from the South-West.
He said his decision to return to the PDP arose after a period of consultation with major stakeholders in the state, including traditional and religious leaders, market men and women, artisans, trade unions and community as well as party leaders.
The governor, who was in the PDP before the 2007 governorship election, where he contested against Dr. Olusegun Agagu, said he took the decision to return to PDP in the overall interest of his people and the nation, as well as its democracy.
Mimiko said his immediate target was to help the process of getting President Goodluck Jonathan re-elected in 2015.
Mark, in his remarks, said he was happy that Mimiko decided to return from his “self-exile.”
He said it was the desire and wish of the party leadership that the governor reconciles everybody within the party. – Punch.
