TheCable

Yinka Akerele, a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti state, has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Kemi Olaleye, deputy chairman of the APC in Ekiti, led the party’s leaders in all the 16 local government areas of the state to Ayede Ekiti, home town of Akerele, to receive the politician.

Olaleye said the doors of the party were open for those willing to come on board.

“APC is a party that was formed to champion the cause of the people and give Nigerians the best in terms of governance,” she said.

“To this end, we are always eager to accept into our fold, right thinking individuals who share our vision. The coming of Otunba Akerele is a welcome development and we assure him and his followers in the Ajinde Ekiti Movement that they will not be discriminated upon.

“By our party constitution, we give equal right to all members, whether old or new.”

Sunday Ibitoye, a former chairman of Ado Ekiti local government, said Akerele’s would give his huge followership to the party in Ekiti.

Akerele thanked the party for the warm reception and promised to work with others to build the party.

“To me, life is about adding value and based on this, I have come to the progressive fold, where my father was a major actor many decades ago, to contribute my quota,” he said.

“I know many people are not comfortable with what is currently happening in our dear state and we must all work together to change the game.

“Tactically, the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Fayose has created a bad brand for us. We are not only in the news for wrong reason, but our values are also being eroded little by little. We must all work together to change the bad perception created for us by Mr. Fayose.

“Ekiti is known for integrity, morals and values but what we see today is the opposite. Having said this, I hereby promise to work with APC leaders to build Ekiti and not to destroy.”