“5,000 PDP Members Defect to APC in Ikorodu, Lagos Ahead of Local Government Election”

At least 5,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, signaling a major political shift in the region.

The APC chairman for Ikorodu, Waheed Animashaun, welcomed the new members at the party’s secretariat, assuring them of equal treatment and full integration into the APC. Animashaun emphasized that the upcoming local government elections, which will take place across all 20 councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state, were an opportunity for the new members to actively participate in the party’s activities.

He encouraged the defectors to attend ward meetings for recognition and integration, reminding them that their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) is their most powerful tool. “Our doors are always open to defectors from opposition parties in Ikorodu, and everyone, whether old or new, has equal rights within the party,” he stated, expressing confidence that the defection reflected the growing popularity and acceptance of the APC in Ikorodu.

Animashaun also lauded the decision of the defectors to join the ruling party, attributing it to the APC administration’s achievements at all three tiers of government. He appealed to both old and new members to validate their membership cards ahead of the elections.

Leading the defectors was Mr. Olugbenga Shittu, who previously ran for the Ikorodu Federal House of Representatives seat in 2023 on the PDP platform. He expressed his gratitude to the APC leadership for welcoming him and his supporters with open arms, stating that their decision to join the APC was based on the visible achievements of the APC-led administration and the development seen in Ikorodu.

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, also addressed the gathering, urging everyone to secure their APC membership cards and vote for the party in the upcoming council elections. Ogunleye called on members to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said would bring about significant improvements in the country’s economy and the lives of its citizens.

Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, Mr. Wasiu Adesina, also spoke at the event, promising continued support for the youth and elderly in the area. Adesina reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing free JAMB forms to students pursuing higher education and announced that monthly stipends would be given to 140 elderly individuals in the area for the remainder of his term.

He encouraged ward chairmen to submit the names of eligible senior citizens for inclusion in the stipend program.