Buhari, Adeseun, Alao-Akala, others welcome Onireti, thousands of supporters to APC in Ogbomoso
pannigeriannews
3 min read
By Sunday Adepoju
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Ogbomoso zone on Thursday welcomed Hon. Olufemi Oladokun Onireti and thousands of his supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the ruling party.
Hon. Onireti was the runner-up in the 2023 election for the Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the PDP.
The entrepreneur, philanthropist and politician defected alongside former Chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government, Prince Felix Akande; Hon. Olawale Ajibola; Hon. Temidayo Fagbemi; TPL Williams Odetunde; Mr. David Oyeniran and thousands of their supporters.
Onireti, who had earlier been appointed Director of the City Boy Movement in Oyo State, was formally received at the APC zonal secretariat in Apake, Ogbomoso.
Notable APC leaders at the event included the Senator representing Oyo North and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation and Aerospace Development, Senator Fatai Buhari, represented by Hon. Sunday Adeyemo (Obadoba); former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Alhaji Ayoade Adeseun; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala; and former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Gunju Ojo.
Other dignitaries at the event included several former local government chairmen, party leaders and stakeholders across the zone.
Vehicular movement around the APC secretariat, Apake, was temporarily disrupted as jubilant supporters flooded the streets after the defection ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Senator Adeseun commended party leaders and members across the zone for their commitment and dedication towards strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged members of the party to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates at various levels.
Representing Senator Buhari, Hon. Adedeji Adeyemo welcomed the decampees into the APC fold and charged them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of the party.
Also speaking, Hon. Gunju Ojo stressed that the APC has a tradition of rewarding loyal and committed party members based on their contributions during elections.
In his remarks, Hon. Onireti expressed appreciation to his supporters for their unwavering belief in his leadership and for following him into the APC.
“We are particularly grateful to Almighty God for making today’s official defection to the APC a reality.
“I want to encourage Nigerians in Oyo State and beyond to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as all APC candidates who will emerge for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly positions.
“We will work together to achieve success for our great party at all levels.
“I also appreciate the leaders and members of the APC for warmly receiving us into the party,” he said.
Speaking further, Hon. Alao-Akala commended the leadership of the APC for their efforts at strengthening and expanding the party from the grassroots to the national level.
He also appreciated the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, other traditional rulers and their councils for their support and contributions to the development of Ogbomoso.
Alao-Akala equally acknowledged the role of the Khalifa of the Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria (ISBON), Alhaji Lamidi Monsur Ayoade Ejide, for his continued support for the family of late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
He further commended Hon. Onireti for joining forces with the ruling APC under the leadership of President Tinubu.
Present at the event were Hon. Remi Odetomi, former local government chairman and commissioner; Hon. Wale Adeleke; Hon. Biodun Alade; Hon. Adedeji Adeyemo; Hon. Olawale Ademola; Alhaji Bukola Badmus; Hon. Ibrahim Ajagbe Toskay; Prince Wasiu Olukan; Hon. Tunde Babalola; Prince Abass Bello; and Hon. Adijat Aremu Rainbow, among others.
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