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The immediate past minority leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Rafiu Tunji Adekunle, on Sunday said he has formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that his decision was based on popular demand by his constituents and the fact that he had come back to the progressives fold, which he originally belonged.
Adekunle, who represented Saki state constituency disclosed this in a statement titled: “Hatching Democracy Dividends Through A New Nest,” which he personally signed, copy of which he made available to the Nigerian Tribune.
The former lawmaker, who spoke as lover of nature, likened his decision to approach of a new political season, saying: “As a lover of nature, I have observed over the years that birds; on the approach of their mating season usually begin to weave a new nest, (particularly the females) towards fulfilling nature’s quest for multiplication. Conservationists also support this when they noted that ‘birds seldom use the same nest twice.’
“In the like manner, as the political mating season approaches, pressure from my teeming supporters seems to suggest dumping of the old, worn-out nest of PDP in favour of the trending, more fortified, record- breaking All Progressives Congress (APC).”
“Having said this much, I, Rafiu Tunji Adekunle, former Minority Leader, Oyo State House of Assembly, with my supporters hereby formally, on this occasion stretch our energetic wings on a fruitful flight to the well- reinforced, fresh nest of All Progressives Congress (APC) where we hope to lay, hatch and deliver vitamins- rich eggs of democracy dividends to our dear people, who are the very essence of this our action,” he added.
The former lawmaker contended it was the collective opinion of his people that APC, as political party, presented a more formidable and cohesive platform capable of delivering more democracy dividends for the benefit of Oyo State and Nigeria.
He said this was more so as the party was under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
“The All Progressives Congress, APC, itself as a political party represents Change, charting new path of development and prosperity for our state and nation, which I must say is in tandem with my personal conviction about the yet constant ‘change’ phenomenon.
“In my opinion, this change requires an objective assessment of one’s performance with a view to making necessary adjustment in thought and action, in personality and character,” he said.
Speaking further, Adekunle, who recalled his background as Executive Secretary, Ifedapo LG, Executive Secretary Ifedapo Local Education Authority during the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) era, among others, maintained that his compass had never failed him in his close to three decades of navigation on the turbulent political ocean of Oyo State and, therefore, his decision to return to the progressives fold.
“Let me add that in my close to three decades of navigation on the turbulent political ocean of our dear state, my compass has never failed me; I am therefore moving on to this phase of my political voyage with a firm belief that my chicken has only come home to roost-back in the Progressives enclave.
“Beginning with my first political appointment as the Executive Secretary, Ifedapo LG, and Executive Secretary Ifedapo Local Education Authority under the Chairmanship of our revered Pa Adekola on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)- a party for the progressives, with my late father- Alh Adekunle Adeniran Lasisi as the party chairman for the then Ifedapo LG.
“From there, I diverted to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )- a rightist party which moved me up the political ladder through an array of political appointments- NAPEP Coordinator, Saki West LG; Member, The Polytechnic, Ibadan Governing Council, and as Leader of Opposition (Minority Leader) of the 7th Oyo State House of Assembly.
“With this brief background, therefore, it needs no further emphasis that one is coming back on board this fresh and ubiquitous progressive platform, the APC, with a bunch of rich experience in governance, from local to the state? Do I still need to call myself a grassroots person? Hon Adekunle said.
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