Members of the Tinubu Youth Force (TYF), a group under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, have formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The decamping ceremony, organised by Otunba Adetunji Oyebambi, was held on Tuesday at the PDP Zonal Office, Kwara South Senatorial District, Ajaso-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Speaking at the event, the PDP state PRO, Shola Olushegun Adewara, described the defection as part of of an ongoing influx of APC members and supporters into the PDP.
Adewara said the latest defection was “just a tip of the iceberg,” noting that the party had, over the past two to three weeks, received members from different professional and social backgrounds who were previously associated with the APC.
He said the new members were joining the PDP as an alternative political platform, alleging that many people in Kwara were dissatisfied with the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He attributed the alleged dissatisfaction to concerns over security, food security, human capital development and access to farmlands, particularly in Kwara South, which he described as predominantly agrarian.
“This defection is one among many, and we are going to receive more of them because our umbrella in the PDP is big enough to accommodate Kwarans of different ethnic groups and religions,” Adewara said. He added that the party expected more political realignments in the months ahead.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Tinubu Youth Force, Ambali Sikiru, said the group’s decision to leave the APC for the PDP was influenced by what he described as the failure of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration to meet the expectations of the people.
Ambali said the group was seeking a new political platform through which it could contribute to addressing the challenges confronting residents of the state.
The PDP Kwara South Organising Secretary, Suleman Ganiyu Kayode, said the latest defection demonstrated what he described as the growing strength of the PDP in Kwara State.
He expressed confidence in the party’s ability to mobilise more supporters ahead of the forthcoming general elections, while urging the new members to remain committed to the party and its programmes.
The event brought together PDP leaders, supporters and members of the decamping group, who formally declared their allegiance to the opposition party.
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