Kunle Adelabu
Adinlewa Oluwafemi Kayode, the former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikorodu Local Government has described the party as half dead after registering as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu.
The lone voice of the PDP in Ikorodu Division over the years defected to the ruling APC by partaking in the ongoing revalidation /registering exercise at Ward E2, Erikorodo, Itamaga, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
Adinlewa, on same day, attended the annual thanksgiving ceremony of the Onward Movement of Nigeria, the operational platform of the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and representative of the lkorodu Constituency I, Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade, which was his first official outing as APC member.
At the event, the former PDP scribe presented his party membership slip to Hon. Agunbiade to the admiration of the teeming party members some of whom later approached him one after the other for a brief chat and photograph.
He afterwards formally presented his slip to the Chairman of the APC in Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Taiwo Longe, and the Vice Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government, Princess (Hon) Folasahde Olabanji – Oba, both of whom were also present at the Onward event.
It was indeed a rousing welcome for Adinlewa as his arrival at the event was quickly noted and announced by Hon. Azeez Olosugbo, the Director-General, Onward Movement, who later ushered him to the podium and announced his defection to the amazement of hundreds of APC leaders and members that were in attendance.
While offering his first interview as an APC member to THE IMPACT after his defection, Adinlewa declared that PDP is half dead and also added that he left the party because it cannot win election and bring development to his people and Ikorodu.
“I registered today as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu. I did this after due consultations with political associates, political leaders and others around in Ikorodu and it was resolved that I must move to the ruling party.
“Also, I have paid my dues in PDP which I have been part of since 1998 when it was established and I have done a lot in promoting and working for the party but my efforts have not been rewarded, so, I have to move on.
“I did not leave the party because people are leaving. Many had left before now, including key leaders, yet l remained there. Chief Dapo Sarumi, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro and other leaders left the party at various times but I said that I was not going with them.
He said that his defection to the APC will afford him and his followers the opportunity to contribute to the development of the ruling party, Ikorodu, Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Adinlewa said that such a feat that he plans to achieve with the APC cannot be attained if he remains in PDP.
“I think that I need to try other parties to see what they have in stock. More so, the scheme of things is calling for alignment and re – alignment amongst politicians. So, I need to also re – align with other politicians and work for the progress of this new party”, Adinlewa said.
“I am moving to APC with my people and all that we want is development of the party, Ikorodu, Lagos State and Nigeria at large. We tried all our best working for our former party to dislodge APC but from all indications, they are not ready to win.
“That means the development that we are seeking can’t be attained in that party.
“I fought, agitated, complained and protested about lack of development in Ikorodu and what the leadership of the party are doing to Ikorodu for not allowing the much desired development. I thought that fighting the battle outside will not help and that is another reason I thought that I should join them and join forces in achieving the development for Ikorodu.
“There is no way I would have such opportunity if I am outside the party.
While wishing his former party well, Adinlewa concluded that PDP is half dead in Ikorodu and Lagos State due to its polarization and failure to effectively present credible opposition.
“I am not going to condemn PDP but as you all know, Adinlewa was the only voice of the party when I was there. Good luck to them if they can find another voice like me or get their acts together which I don’t think they can.
“The party is half dead. Though, I am not happy with the lack of vibrant opposition in Ikorodu and the country at large but when you are in opposition, you must work together as a team and support each other. Unfortunately, this is lacking in PDP and all our efforts to salvage the party proved abortive.
“I wish them luck and charge them to come up with ideas but it is doubtful if they can because PDP in Ikorodu and Lagos State is half dead”, he emphasized.
The former PDP Publicity Secretary also told our reporter that his defection to the ruling party us aimed at contributing to its progress and bringing development to Ikorodu and not to help further division.
While stating that he is for everybody, Adinewa charged elected representatives and leaders to use the party’s manifestoes in rallying round the people for development.
“My coming to APC is to know the party and work for it. I am not joining any group. I will play my politics accordingly and even use myself to bring the groups together. May God help me. Sincerely, grouping is what destroyed the PDP and they know me that I didn’t belong to any group”, he said.
“My expectation is that I want groups within APC to come together and work towards achieving the manifestoes of the party together. Grouping doesn’t allow party to progress.
“My appeal to the party, especially elected officials, is to bring everybody together and use the party’s manifestoes as the working document and must mobilize all party members to achieve that for the betterment of Ikorodu, Lagos and Nigeria at large.
“I am for everybody”, Adinlewa declared.
