The immediate past Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Chief Bayo Dayo, has decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bayo Dayo announced his defection to APC on Wednesday at St. Mathew’s Anglican Primary School, Ward 3, Ojowo Ijebu-Igbo, in Ijebu North Local Government during a political gathering that had in attendance chieftains of the APC in the state, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tokunbo Talabi who represented the Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Others were Hon. Adegbesan, member House of Representatives for Ijebu East/Ijebu North/Ogun Waterside federal constituency, Alhaji Ademola Balogun, Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Tokunbo Oshin, former Deputy Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Chief Laide Osifeso among others.
Speaking at the programme, the Secretary to the Government, Hon. Tokunbo Talabi disclosed that having Engr Bayo Dayo joined the ruling party is a big plus for the party in Ijebu North Local Government and the state at large.
Talabi said “Engr Dayo’s political capacity and prowess is huge, he is the type of politician whose experience cannot be wished away or underestimated, he has been at the game for a very long time.
“He is a politician that I have known for a very long time, he is a firm believer in the use of politics as an instrument to serve and make good difference in the lives of the people.
“We are happy to have Engr Bayo Dayo and his supporters in APC and we believe that this will mark the beginning of many great things to come for the party and the state in this new year”.
Speaking at the event on why he decided to abandon his former party, Engr Dayo said he could no longer afford to stay in a party that had since thrown discipline to the pigs.
He said “PDP is now a party of no discipline where 5 governors are putting their legs in many political parties without caution, I no longer want to be a member of such party where the leaders cannot discipline themselves”.
The former Chairman described his defection as a kind of reunion with his old political allies, explaining that he had actually known Gov Dapo Abiodun for a very long time.
He said “God is reuniting us today with our brothers and sisters in APC many of whom we have been together for many years including our Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
“I am a grassrooots politician and that is why I said this defection will hold at my Ward 3, Ijebu Igbo and not Abeokuta or anywhere. I understand the dynamics of politics clearly, I have been in PDP for over 25 years but I must say that I have been very well impressed with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government of Gov Abiodun.
“President Tinubu is the most experienced politician to lead us and the only President that is investigating his own minister, he is really making the southern part of Nigeria very proud.
“Gov Abiodun too has been committed to efforts that are geared towards making life more comfortable for the residents. For instance, Gov Abiodun constructed the Ilisan-Ago Iwoye that was abandoned for over 10 years, likewise Molusi road among other good works he is doing across the state.
“I didn’t inform anybody when I joined PDP, I have nobody to inform if I am crossing to the ruling party, I am old enough to decide on my next move politically and like I said I can’t continue to stay in a party that no longer cares about discipline
“I am here with four ward chairmen of PDP in Ijebu Igbo among other chieftains of the party because they see the quality in me and I am sure we wouldn’t regret this step, my followers are with me anytime and we are here in APC to join hands with Gov. Abiodun in taking Ogun State to higher ground”.
By Oluseun JOSHUA, Abeokuta
