“I Am Moving To A Party To Which Our Kith & Kins In Yorubaland Belongs” Ondo Deputy Governor Speaks On Defection

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Ali Olanusi, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party Thursday morning, has given reason for his action.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Mr. Olanusi said he decided to join the All Progressives Congress after realising that the party offers a platform where he can find justice, fairness and equity.

He said, “While still being in place as the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressive Congress (APC) where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty, a party to which majority of our kith and kins in Yorubaland belongs.

“I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the South West and the nation.”

“They (his followers) have watched helplessly in the last six years years the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place.”

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said, “The state government just received the news of the defection of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, to the All Progressives Congress.

“Though it came as a surprise, government acknowledge his right to determine his political affiliation and wish him well.”

Mr. Olanusi is said to have had a frosty relationship with Governor Olusegun Mimiko for sometime.

He ran with Mr. Mimiko on the platform of the Labour Party in 2007, becoming deputy governor in 2009 after the Court of Appeal declared Mr. Mimiko winner of the disputed 2007 governorship election in the state.

He ran again with Mr. Mimiko on the platform of the same party in 2014.

In October 2014, the governor and his deputy defected to the PDP.

Mr. Olanusi’s defection came less than a week after the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, left the APC for the PDP.