Former Ondo Governor, Mimiko Defects To PDP

Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has rejoined the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Until the most recent announcement, Mimiko belonged to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)  and this will be the third time he will defect to the PDP.

Prior to the defection, Naija News recalls four Governors belonging to PDP stormed Ondo State where they held a closed-door meeting with Mimiko in his Ondo town country home.

The PDP Governors that stormed Ondo and visited the residence of Mimiko in Ondo town are Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Aminu Tambuwal(Sokoto).

At the end of the meeting, Mimiko said his supporters and the stakeholders in Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) will be the ones to determine his next move.

However, according to an update on the matter, Mimiko and the ZLP have agreed to collapse into the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.

A statement credited to the Ondo ZLP Chairman, Joseph Akinlaja said the stakeholders have agreed to join forces with the PDP to save Nigerians from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “Stakeholders of the party from across the 18 Local Government areas of Ondo State have resolved to join the Peoples Democratic Party PDP after a meeting held at the residence of the party’s national leader, Dr Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo on Wednesday.”

H added that ”the meeting which has Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, his running mate, Gboye Adegbenro, former speaker, Jumoke Akindele, the state chairman of the party, Hon Joseph Akinlaja among other leaders in attendance resolved after deliberations to pitch their tent with the Peoples Democratic Party to rescue the country from the misrule of the APC and set her on a path of peace and progress for the benefit of all.

“The meeting followed an earlier visit by four PDP governors led by chairman of their forum, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State. Okezie Ikpeazu, Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde had told the press after their meeting with Mimiko that they are in Ondo to invite Mimiko and his teeming supporters in the ZLP to the PDP.

“The stakeholders meeting was called to discuss the meeting with the PDP governors and intimate members with the outcomes of series of interactions with PDP leaders on the invitation extended to him.

“Mimiko told the stakeholders that the ZLP in being invited to join the PDP to rescue the country from the brink of insecurity.

“Stakeholders appraised developments across the nation and agreed that the PDP is the most viable platform to work with to be able to work towards winning future elections in the State and in the country as a whole.

“Mimiko had earlier told members that leaders of the PDP have shown demonstrable commitment to fully integrate all willing joiners from the ZLP and accord them full membership rights in what promises to be a win for PDP members and Nigerians alike.

“After detailed deliberations by leaders across Local Government Areas, Hon Akinlaja, the State Chairman, asked that a motion moved for members of the ZLP in Ondo State to join the PDP be put to vote to which all present voted yes by popular acclamation.

Others who will be joining the PDP with Mimiko include former Ondo deputy governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, some members of the State House of Assembly, Ondo ZLP Chairman, Joseph Akinlaja among other leaders of the ZLP.