Reactions Trail Ladoja’s Defection To Accord Party

By Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

Reactions have started trailing the defection of the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja to Accord Party (AP).

The former governor is expected to pick the party’s governorship ticket tomorrow at its secretariat in Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Commenting on Ladoja’s imminent departure from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, a prominent politician in Ibadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, expressed his  displeasure, saying Ladoja’s departure will, however, not affect his group’s plan to wrestle power from Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

His words: “Well, Ladoja has not hinted me about his leaving PDP to another party. I am hearing it from you but if he is doing that, he is one among us and  he is free to do what he likes as a mature person. Our coalition will continue to exist with or without Ladoja.”

Senator Balogun disclosed that the ward congress of the party slated for today will be organized by the implementation committee recommended by the Ike  Nwachukwu-led committee, stressing that any other congress organized by any other person or faction in the party is illegal.

He revealed that PDP members loyal to his faction are on the field organizing the congress and that it is the executive produced by Yinus Akintunde’s faction  that is authentic.

Responding to a question on whether the party is having two ward congresses organised by the two major factions in the party, he said: “Well, all I know is  that whatever congress Akala is holding is a fake.”

Senator Balogun alleged that the sacked Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Salako (Eleweomo) and his men are  already going about wielding dangerous weapons on the street to prevent members from participating in the congress.

“I have talked to our people to maintain peace and not to engage anybody in any fight. But the police should ensure that the peace of the land is not  disturbed,” he said.

Former Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Adebayo Shittu described Ladoja’s defection as too late and done at the wrong time.

Pointing out that Ladoja should have defected over a year ago, he said his defection shows that he has lost the strength to continue to fight Akala in PDP.

Barrister Shittu who also defected from PDP to Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) a year ago to contest governorship poll in 2011, said he was ready to  contest against his boss (Ladoja ) and win.

Reacting to Barrister Shittu’s comment, Ladoja’s spokesman, Mr. Lanre Latinwo said Akala cannot drive Ladoja out of PDP. “Ladoja was only tired of staying  with the destroyers of the nation,” he said.

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