Ondo PDP In Turmoil As Top Chieftain Dumps Party For APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has suffered a fresh setback following the defection of one of its prominent grassroots leaders in Ifedore Local Government Area, Fisayo Ajisafe, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ajisafe announced his defection on Thursday, citing the prolonged crisis within the PDP as one of the major reasons behind his decision to leave the opposition party.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the former PDP chieftain said the internal challenges confronting the party had made it increasingly difficult for him to effectively contribute to the development of his people, prompting him to seek a new political platform.

Ajisafe said he chose to join the APC because of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and what he described as the growing political influence of the ruling party in Ondo State.

He expressed confidence in the future of the APC in the state, pledging to deploy his political experience and grassroots network to strengthen the party and mobilise additional support ahead of future elections.

The new APC member also encouraged politicians and supporters of opposition parties to consider joining the ruling party, describing it as a progressive platform capable of addressing some of the challenges confronting the country, including insecurity.

Ajisafe maintained that his defection would have an impact on the political structure of the PDP within his federal constituency, where he said he had contributed significantly to the growth of opposition support over the years.

He also commended Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for ongoing development projects across the state, citing the Orita-Obele-Ijare-Ikota road project as one of the initiatives he believed demonstrated the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure.

Reacting to the defection, immediate past Ondo State APC chairman Ade Adetimehin welcomed Ajisafe into the party and described him as a respected grassroots mobiliser and progressive-minded politician.

Adetimehin spoke at Ajisafe’s political ward in Ikota, where he was joined by other APC leaders. He assured the former PDP chieftain that he would be fully integrated into the party and given the opportunity to contribute to its growth.

He urged APC members to unite and work towards strengthening the party while encouraging supporters to remain committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Adetimehin further expressed optimism that Ondo State would deliver more than one million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the APC remained open to politicians willing to contribute to the party’s success and the development of the state.