Scores of Labour Party (LP) members, including the chairman, in Ekiti defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday at Ado-Ekiti.

The defectors promised to work to ensure victory for the APC’s candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, at the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti.

They were led to the APC by the Ekiti LP chairman, Banji Omotoso, who said the defectors were attracted to the APC by the pedigree, quality and personality of Mr Oyebanji.

The LP chair said the APC governorship candidate possessed the experience to continue the developmental strides witnessed in Ekiti currently.

He also mentioned that they joined APC having scrutinised all party candidates and believed in the ability of Mr Oyebanji to take governance in the state to a higher level.

According to Mr Omotoso, Ekiti needs a leader with a wealth of experience, who understands governance and the needs of the people.

“We need a brilliant person who can work for the development of Ekiti and we have seen that in Oyebanji. All LP members are coming together to say it is only Oyebanji that can do it,” the former LP chairman added. “We believe Oyebanji possesses the leadership qualities to make Ekiti greater based on his performance as the Secretary to the State Government. I want to charge my members who have just joined our new party to go to our units, wards, local governments and work with APC leaders to achieve victory on June 18.”

The defectors, from all the 16 local government areas of the state were received into APC by the chairman of the contact and mobilisation committee of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, Olajide Awe.

Addressing the new APC members, Mr Awe assured that they would be accorded the rights and privileges enjoyed by old members.

Other former LP leaders, who spoke included, former chairman of Ijero local government council, Akinwumi Akinwole, LP’s former state women leader, Olusola Fadahunsi, former chairmen of Emure add Oye local government councils, Peter Ogunniran and Adeolu Ilesanmi, respectively.

Among those who joined Awe to receive the defectors were two former deputy speakers of Ekiti House of Assembly, Karonwi Oladapo and Taiwo Olatunbosun.

(NAN)