Two PDP lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday defected to the APC, with the ruling party now having control of 26 seats without opposition.

The lawmakers are Raymond Daudu, who represents the Akomo South-West Constituency I, and Olajide Oguntodu, representing the Akure South Constituency I.

The defection letters were read by the speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

Mr Daudu told journalists that his defection was premised on the irreconcilable crisis and divisions in the PDP at the national and state levels.

He added that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu must be supported for the desired transformation of the country.

Similarly, Mr Oguntodu said the persistent crisis in the PDP would not help his political journey, hence the need to join a more viable political party.

He said it is obvious that the Tinubu-led administration focused on revamping the country’s economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Earlier at the plenary, the speaker, who welcomed the lawmakers to APC, said the performance of the Tinubu-led administration had collapsed the stronghold and structure of PDP in the state.

Mr Oladiji thanked Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his support to the state, promising that the two lawmakers would enjoy their new party.

Meanwhile, the assembly has called on concerned authorities to address the deplorable state of Ogbagi/Irun Akoko Road in the Akoko North-West Local Government Area.

The majority leader, Olatunji Oshati, said that though the road belonged to the federal government, there is a need for all stakeholders to take steps in addressing complaints of its users.

Mr Oshati suggested that the state government collaborate with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to fix the road.

He added that the bad road had negatively affected many lives and destroyed property.

Mr Oshati said the Afo/Ido-Ani Road, which is a state road, should be attended to by the state government.

Felix Afe (APC-Akoko North West Constituency II) also appealed to both the federal and state governments to rehabilitate roads.

Oluwatoyin Japhet (APC – Akoko North-East) said if the stakeholders had been proactive, many lives lost on the road would have been saved.

Mr Japhet noted that the design of the road was not tailored for articulated vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.

He urged the federal government to hasten the rehabilitation of the Kabba/Ipele Road to relieve the Ogbagi/Irun Road of articulated vehicles.

The speaker stated that the road required urgent attention due to the loss of many lives and property and appealed to the state governor to draw the federal government’s attention to it.

He also asked the House Committee on Works to liaise with FERMA in fixing the road.

The speaker adjourned the sitting to Friday.

(NAN)