Adeleke’s defection can’t stop PDP — Olasunkanmi, Oke

Despite the defection of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, a governorship aspirant, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Osun State to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), two other aspirants, Senator Rasheed Akinlabi Olasunkanmi and Hon Oluwole Oke, on Saturday said such development would not affect the winning streak and electoral victory of their party at the August 9 gubernatorial poll. Describing the decision of Adeleke as unfortunate, taking into recognition the quantum of benefits that had accrued to him since he joined the party, they contended that it was laughable and amounted to ingratitude on his part to dump the party that made him politically. In a separate press statements issued by their media aides, Mr Ayo Aluko Olokun and Barrister Yemi Giwa respectively Olasunkanmi and Oke assured that the former governor’s exit from the PDP can never have any negative effect on the chances of the party at the election. According to Olasunkanmi, who was a former Minister for Youths, “We believe in that tenet of democracy, which guarantees every individual the right of association. The defector has taken a decision which he believes would best serve his interest best under this dispensation and we cannot condemn, abuse or commend him for it. It is his right.” “But, we wish to assure you that his exit would not diminish the chance of the PDP winning the August 9, governorship election. We shall strengthen our hold on Osun West Senatorial District, where he comes from. It is, however, unfortunate that a person that has benefitted so much, using the PDP platform, would jump ship despite all his repeated promises and pledges to vote and mobilise support for President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP”, he added. Reacting, Oke remarked “he is a pillar in PDP. I wish he stays and fight within the party. There is no party that is crisis free. I still hope that he would change his mind. If he doesn’t, I wish him well. It is a free world”.