Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has decamped from the Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Leaders of both parties confirmed the development to newsmen in Akure last night.
However, Ondo State Information Commissioner, Mr. Kayode Akinmade said that due to “serious pressure from the leadership of the PDP before and after the Osun governorship election, the governor is still consulting with stakeholders across the country on this.”
“For now, the governor is still in Labour Party even if he will eventually move he cannot take a unilateral decision on this matter,’’ he added.
But another Commissioner, Barrister Remi Olatubora of Adult Education Ministry was categorical about the governor’s movement to PDP, saying: “ I woke up this morning as a LP chieftain but I am going to bed tonight as a PDP chieftain.’’
Saturday Vanguard learnt that the governor met with leaders of the party across the state yesterday where he reportedly informed them of his decision to move to PDP as a result of the pressure since 2006.
A chieftain of the party who attended the meeting in Akure said that Mimiko’s commissioners and political appointees have been directed to go to their communities and pass the message to the LP members.
At yesterday”s meeting, five leaders were invited from each of the 18 local councils across the state.
It was learnt that the governor, who returned from Abuja two days ago met with the national leaders of the PDP and other leaders including Senate President David Mark where the final deal was reportedly sealed.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that a deal in which the governor’s LP would take 60 percent and the PDP 40 per cent in the state is being worked out in the distribution of political appointments.
Governor Mimiko has reportedly briefed his Executive members before last night meeting and will in the following week meet with National Assembly members of the LP.
Before now some members of the party have been holding secret meetings with the PDP in the state ostensibly to prepare the ground for him.
Leaders of the PDP had been sad over Mimiko’s dilly-dally on the issue. Their grouse was that he could not be in LP in Ondo State and at the same time claim to leaders in Abuja that he is in PDP and work against them in the state.
The complaining PDP leaders include the former governorship candidate of PDP, Chief Olusola Oke who lost to Mimiko in the state election, Chief Segun Ojo, Prof Olu Agbi and the party state Chairman Hon Ebenezer Alabi.
A member of the Board of Trustee and a leader of the party in the state Dr Bode Olajumoke said the governor is welcome to the party. Vanguard
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