The Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde’, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will soon be the only party in Oke-Ogun and entire Oyo state following the defection of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Shina Peller from Accord Party into the ruling party in the state.
He added that his administration has immensely contributed to the development of the zone through several infrastructural projects as well as other developmental projects across Oyo state.
Governor Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, stated this on Thursday in Iseyin while presenting the PDP flags to the former lawmaker, Hon. Shina Peller amidst fun fair and jubilation.
He noted that progressive without power is zero, adding that Shina Peller is defecting into the party because of rapid development of Oke-Ogun zone and entire Oyo state under the Makinde led administration.
Barr. Lawal assured that all defectors would reap great benefits from joining the PDP, citing that he was also a member of a different party before joining His Excellency, Seyi Makinde and that he has not regretted that decision.
He therefore congratulated Shina Peller and his supporters for taking a wise decision to pitch tent with PDP and His Excellency.
He said: “Since the inception of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, Oke-ogun has witnessed massive development. The zone is expected to become a one party system under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde following the defection of Shina Peller from Accord party.
“I also took a similar journey like Shina Peller before joining the Peoples Democratic Party. So, on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, let give support to all the defectors, for our party to progress. We all have a lot to benefit from this party.
“We are very confident that our party, PDP, will win the forthcoming local government election overwhelmingly with this unity as well as the developmental strides of His Excellency across the Oke-ogun zone”.
The Deputy Governor however thanked all the leaders of the party in the state for their presence including the southwest executives for attending the occasion.
Hon. Shina Peller, who served as the representative for the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency from 2019 to 2023, however noted that there had been protests during the last election. He emphasised that his federal constituency was united, and he chose not to run for office again, which ultimately resulted in the emergence of Hon. Shina Oyedeji as the new member of the House of Representatives.
He noted that a leader must be able to show love and humble himself, saying that he has contested and won election as well as represented people and also lost election but was happy to have supported Governor Makinde to emerge victoriously in the last election.
He said: “In the last five years, I have gathered enough experience in politics. My father also played a prominent role because he was also among those who welcomed Awolowo into Iseyin town.
“So, my coming to PDP was because I needed power to progress. Other progressive also need to come for power to be able to progress. With me were all the 13 local governments chairmen, youths leaders, senatorial women leaders among others from
Accord party to PDP.
“I am happy for all PDP members in Oke-ogun because we have a Governor who has turned the party into a beautiful bride. There is no leadership where there’s no vision. So, I am following Governor makinde because he’s a visionary leader.
“Omituntun 2.0 is what we have now. So, there is new fish in the water. I am very grateful to Governor Makinde for his developmental stride in Oke-ogun and Oyo state at large.
“Governor makinde gave us university we lacked over the years. He built roads for us. So, we must support him. Therefore, I am defecting to the PDP based on the good performance of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
According to Shina Peller, politics is all about interest, either it’s personal interest or peoples interest or religious, everyone must be able to represent the interest of the people particularly the interest of Oyo North senatorial district.
He added that Oke-ogun is blessed with abundant natural resources but due to bad leadership, they have not been able to prosper or develop until the emergence of Governor Seyi Makinde and he has been able to turn the Oke-zone around.
Earlier in his remarks, the Southwest Vice Chairman, Kamoru Ajisafe congratulated the defectors and stated that he was attending the ceremony at Governor Makinde’s request so that he could formally welcome Shina Peller and inform the national level of the recent development.
PDP leaders Chief Jacob Oyetoro, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, and Dare Adeleke, Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on federal constituency matters, who also spoke at the event, thanked Governor Makinde for his support for the development of Oke-Ogun zone.
They asserted in their separate remarks that Oke-Ogun will soon become a one-party system under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde for his unprecedented achievements in the last five years.
The event was attended by Chairman Advisory Council, Elder Wole Oyelese; Senator Gbenga Babalola; PDP stakeholders led by Wasiu Adeleke; Lagos PDP Governorship candidate, Jide Adediran Jandor and host of others.
