A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Chief Sakariyau Oyediji, has led over 1,000 of his supporters to join Accord.
The defection comes ahead of the July 16 governorship election in the State, with Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi as Accord candidate.
The defection, on Friday, took place at Alie Junction in Osogbo at a rally attended by a large crowd of party faithful.
It led to the decamping of all Ward 14 Executive Members of the PDP and several others from Wards 2, 4 and 10.
Oyediji, popularly known as Alhaji Marboro, expressed his delight at dropping the PDP for Accord, saying among other reasons for jettisoning his old party was the incompetence and lack of solid educational background of its governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Besides, the Aremo of Oba-Ile berated the Adeleke family for their “insatiable desires” to occupy positions of authority to the detriment of others in the state
He said his Ward 14 has the highest number of votes in Osogbo and that he will deliver it to the Accord candidate in the forthcoming election.
He urged all Osogbo indigenes to support Ogunbiyi, who picked his deputy, Alhaji Kunle Jimoh, from Isale-Osun, Osogbo, noting that all other major political parties did not consider Osogbo for anything.
The PDP Chairman of Ward 14, Waheed Adetayo; Ward’s party leader, Alhaji Hammed Moshood; and Woman Leaders, Suliat Ojuawo, Omokehinde Ogunsade and Lateefat Oyediji, led over 1,000 of their members to their new party.
Also, Alhaji Mohammed Daood Temini Olohun (Osogbo Ward 2), Pastor Samuel Adeogun Ekeloju-Oti (Osogbo Ward 4) and Isiaka Lawal (Osogbo Ward 10) led tens of their members from the PDP to join Accord.
Handing over the Accord flag to Chief Oyediji, the party Chairman in the State, Pastor Victor Akande, expressed his happiness at the coming of the new members, while promising them that their interest will be catered for.
The party’s deputy governorship candidate asked Osogbo indigenes to massively vote for Ogunbiyi and Accord, saying all promises made by his party shall be fulfilled.
Welcoming the new members, Ogunbiyi appreciated Oyediji for his love towards him and for his total commitment to see that good governance is installed in the state.
He highlighted his manifesto to the people and informed them that his government will not serve the interest of the few but will ensure that all residents feel the positive impact of governance.
He said: “Chief Oyediji is a different specie.
“He has never for once asked me for anything unlike some leaders in the PDP.
“Coming to join us in Accord is a good development.”