Mimiko Plunks Labour Paty; defects to PDP

Vice President Namadi Sambo (L), Presenting PDP Flag to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State

The governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko yesterday afternoon pitched his political tent with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ending several weeks of speculation over his political future.

The governor who announced his formal defection at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa after a reconciliation meeting of the South West PDP chaired by the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark said he was moving to the PDP in order to galvanise support for President Jonathan’s re-election in the South-West Zone of the country.

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was formally received into the PDP by the Vice President Namadi Sambo at an occasion witnessed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Jones Arogbofa, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Bode Olajumoke and Olu Agunloye.

According to Mimiko, members of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly from Ondo State on the Labour Party have also defected with him to the PDP.

He reiterated that “by this decision to return to the PDP, we have taken in the overall interest of our people and our nation, and its democracy, which for those who are perceptive enough to notice, is now mortally endangered by a collection of forces which must be confronted.”

According to the governor, with the 2015 table for elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which put Presidential and National Assembly elections on the same day, his remaining in Labour Party while supporting President  Jonathan would create conflict of interest.