Gbemi Saraki's Defection Has Emptied Kwara PDP –Speaker

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt (Hon) Benjamin Yisa has said that with the defection of several thousands of loyalists of Sen. Gbemisola Saraki from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), the PDP has been practically emptied.

But in a swift reaction ,the state chairman of the PDP,Chief Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said with Gemisola’s defection and her supporters,the party will now have a clear direction.

Oyedepo said the defectors right from day one I the party have been causing series of problems.

It will be recalled that several high profile chieftains of the PDP who are political associates of Sen. Saraki o Wednesday announced their defection to the APC in solidarity with their leader who had earlier moved to the APC on the eve of the Presidential election.

Among those that defected are the PDP State Secretary, Hon. Hassan Razaq, Women Leader, Hon. Suleiman Nimota and the Youths Leader, Hon. Segun Olawoyin. Others are a gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Alhaji SY Yahman, Captain Nasir Tshonga, Benjamin Yisa, a former Federal House of Representive member, Hon.

Muemunat Adaji, Barr. Segun Olawoyin,Professor Babatunde Opabola,Ex-Chief of Staff,Mr Lanre Onilu and Engineer Yinusa Afolabi .

While speaking with news men on friday, in Ilorin, Benjamin who led the defectors to address a press conference, stated that the Kwara PDP is now a shadow of its former self.

He said with the defection of Saraki and his associates to the APC, it will be impossible for the PDP to win the forthcoming Gubernatorial and House of Assembly polls in the state.

“No matter how the Kwara PDP tries to shake it off, Gbemi’s defection is a big blow to the fortunes of the party in the state. The PDP’s loss is now the APC’s gain. Going by the results of the last Presidential and what is to be expected in the forthcoming ones, the impact of her defection is being felt all over the state.

“Her defection will serve as a lesson to the political class not to maltreat its best eleven. The idea that monkey dey chop, baboon dey work is over in politics. Unfortunately, the Kwara PDP didn’t listen to this timely advice of its national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu but went on a frolic of their own. The three State Executives of the PDP that announced their defection yesterday were the engine room of PDP in the Kwara State. And now that the engine rooms have left, what is remaining is a mere carcass.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Gbemi Saraki, in reaction to yesterday defection of her loyalists has assured her supporters that the storm was over in their political exploits.

In a terse statement personally signed by her a copy of which was made available to journalists in Ilorin by her media aide, Comrade Alabi Abdulkareem, Sen. Saraki thanked the leadership of the APC in Kwara led by Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for welcoming her and her associates into the party. She assured the party leadership of her commitment and dedication to the ideals of the party at all times.

“I commend members of the GRS Movement for standing up in solidarity at this critical time. I assure them that the storm is over. With the APC, we are assured of justice, equity and fair play. I also commend and thank the leadership of the APC in Kwara State led by Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who have made been welcoming and made our move seamless. On behalf of the teeming members of the GRS Movement, I assure them of our dedication and commitment to all party causes. Thank you”

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