The member representing Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency and deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the November 16, 2024 election in Ondo state, Festus Akingbaso, on Thursday decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akingbaso, popularly known as Fessywest and some of his supporters were received into the APC fold at Depot Roundabout in Idanre by the state deputy governor, Olayide Adelami.
Akingbaso, then of the PDP, defeated Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as “Small Alhaji” of APC in the 2023 general elections to represent Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.
Competent government source told Thefrontrank that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is “strongly backing” Adefisoye to return to the House of Representatives in 2027 as a payback for his support during the 2024 governorship election.
“It is an open secret that Small Alhaji put his life on the line to ensure the victory of Governor Aiyedatiwa in 2024 in the federal constituency, which also has Fessywest as the PDP governorship candidate and member representing the constituency at National Assembly,” the source said.
Thefrontrank gathered that while the governor is supporting Small Alhaji, the state Chairman of APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin, whose tenure will expire in December, 2025 is backing Fessywest.
Some analysts who spoke to Thefrontrank, described the defection as a “political gambling.”
Receiving the defectors, Adelami described the defection of Akingbaso as “divinely ordained”, as it coincided with the victory of Ondo state APC at the Appeal court, which affirmed the election of Aiyedatiwa as the governor of Ondo state.
“I want to congratulate our people in Idanre and Ifedore for having a worthy son, who has been representing you well at the national assembly. Hon Akingbaso has witnessed all that the APC is doing in Ondo state and at the federal level. We are happy to receive him and members of the PDP” the deputy governor said.
He expressed satisfaction at the reforms agenda of the Tinubu-led government, which according to him, are already producing positive results in many areas of the economy.
While handing the APC flag to Akingbaso, the chairman of the party, Engr Ade Adetimehin, said Idanre and Ifedore will now be fully for APC, with the defection of the federal lawmaker.
“The federal constituency used to be divided between APC and PDP but with the defection of Hon. Akingbaso to our party, Idanre/Ifedore will henceforth record a hundred percent votes for the APC anytime,” he said.
In his remarks, Akingbaso thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for providing purposeful leadership, and prioritising the welfare of the people of the state.
He said he took the decision to join the APC to support the governor in his quest to bring governance closer to the grassroots.
“As a member of the National Assembly for two years, I have witnessed the giant strides of President Tinubu at the top level and it is important that I bring my supporters to work with the Governor in Ondo for the overall success of the party,” the lawmaker said.
The event was attended by party faithful including Senator representing Ondo central, Niyi Adegbomire; Executive Director, Corporate Services of NDDC, Ifedayo Abegunde; Member representing Akure North/South federal constituency, Derin Adesida; Ondo state commissioner for women affairs and social development, Seun Osemaye; and Member representing Idanre in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Oluwatosin Ajirotutu.
