The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ona-Ara Local Government wishes to strongly debunk a misleading report published by Daily Post and attributed to Mr. Akinjide Kazeem Akinola, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The report falsely alleged that “scores of PDP members defected to the APC in Oyo State.” We categorically refute this claim as baseless, deceitful, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public as political maneuverings toward the 2027 elections begin.
For the record, on May 3rd, 2025, the PDP in Ona-Ara held its regular, well-attended monthly general meeting at our officially recognized venue. On the same day and within proximity, a faction of the APC from the Egbeda/Ona-Ara axis—led by a habitual party defector and perennial aspirant—staged a theatrics-laden gathering. This event was nothing more than a media gimmick aimed at faking momentum and creating confusion.
Ironically, this same individual has on multiple occasions sought clandestine entry into the PDP, only to be rebuffed due to his lack of ideological consistency and credibility. Now, facing stiff resistance within his own party in his quest for an APC ticket already being eyed by more grounded aspirants, he has resorted to desperate tactics to feign political relevance.
The so-called “defection” event was composed largely of hired APC loyalists, mobilized with financial incentives to simulate crowd presence. It was a manufactured drama with no bearing on the PDP’s internal dynamics or grassroots strength.
In sharp contrast, our party continues to grow organically and gain genuine followership. A notable highlight from our May 3rd meeting was the official defection of members of the Association of Senior Citizens of Nigeria, who joined the PDP following a fruitful engagement with Hon. Dr. Ezekiel Temitope Oladimeji (OTOPE) during a widely praised medical outreach held on May 2nd, 2025.
We urge Mr. Akinjide to rise above petty politicking and advise media organizations to prioritize fact-checking and journalistic integrity before publishing politically motivated misinformation.
The PDP in Ona-Ara remains united, vibrant, and resolute under the visionary leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, whose developmental strides continue to earn the trust of Oyo State’s people.
