Oke returns to APC, Says Tinubu facilitates home coming

Chief Olusola Oke, the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo state on Wednesday defected back to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Oke who was received by the party’s Acting Chairman, Ade Adetimehin and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure said the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu encouraged his defection.

The former National legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had left the APC for AD in October 2016 after the primary elections that Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu won.

He noted that his return to the APC would add more value to the party while assuring the leaders and supporters of the Alliance for Democracy to work with the administration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

“I want to thank the national leader of our party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am thanking him because before I made up my mind to come to APC, I engaged in a very engaging and wide consultation, and he encouraged me to return to APC, I want to thank him,” Oke said.

Oke also appreciated, in particular, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and other south-west APC governors for the part they played in his return.

Oke also appreciated governor Akeredolu for his “understanding and magnanimity in allowing his return to the party.

He said, “Today would have been impossible if from the attitude, from the utterance, or body language, I was not convinced that he wanted me back.

“But I am pleased to report to all of you here today, that Mr. Governor demonstrated in every aspect that he wanted me back in APC.

The AD candidate also said his return to APC will afford the Akeredolu-led administration time to focus on good governance and free of the distraction of having him as an opposition figure.

“I have always been a fear of other governors, the past administration, most of the times preoccupied themselves trying to study what Oke will do because I was not inside.

“I want you to devote all your time to core responsibility of governance and allow us to coordinate activities in the state so that you will have much time.

“My being outside, Mr. Governor would have occupied part of your time in calculating what would Oke do next. But I have come to join you that you will have all the peace to govern the state.

“I have come back to APC to put at the disposal of my bother and friend whatever ideas I have, whatever visions I possess, whatever my dreams are for this state, without waiting further for such a time that God will make it possible for me to be in the saddle.

“I want to volunteer and give to you more ideas and support you in whatever way I can.

“My belief is that at this critical time in the life of Ondo state, all well-wishers must support the government of the day, and I know I am a well-wisher.

He also assured the governor himself and his followers will give the APC-led administration in the state their full loyalty and support.

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Chief Oke pleaded with the leaders of the APC across the 203 wards in the state to open their doors to the decampees, as they are ready to deliver for President Muhammadu Buhari 1 million votes in the 2019 general election.

Speaking, Governor Akeredolu welcomed Oke back to the party noting that there is room for all to join the ruling APC in the state.

The governor assured that Mr. Oke and his supporters of total support by the leadership of the APC in the state.

Akeredolu encouraged all others who intend to return to the APC to signify their intention to rejoin the party, and they will be received.

Earlier, Mr. Adetimehin had encouraged all those who are joining the party to go back to their various wards and register formally so they can be formally admitted as members of the APC.

Among those who joined Olusola Oke were his deputy governorship candidate, Gani Dauda and other leaders of his campaign team including the 2016 governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) Mrs. Olamide Falana who also joined the party with her supporters in the state.

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure