Former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, along with thousands of Accord Party members in Oyo North Senatorial District, Oyo State, officially defected to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, News About Nigeria reports.
The event took place at Ode-Oba, Iseyin, in the Iseyin Local Government Area of the state, where Peller was received by the state governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal.
Shina Peller, who was elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, left the APC in 2023 to secure the Oyo North Senatorial ticket of the Accord Party.
However, he lost the election to the candidate of the PDP, Fatai Buhari.
Peller attributes his decision to join the PDP to Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership qualities.
He acknowledged the positive impact Makinde has had on the Oyo North Senatorial District.
“I have seen the reason to align with the vision of Makinde. There is no leadership when there is no vision. And we have seen the good work Makinde has done in this zone, Oke-Ogun. It has never happened in the history of Oyo North Senatorial District,” said Peller.
Peller announced the defection of thousands of Accord Party members from the 13 local governments comprising Oyo North Senatorial District to the PDP. According to him, they needed to join a party where they are valued and appreciated, adding that the PDP has shown that they are valued.
In his response, Governor Makinde, while handing over the PDP flag to Peller, said that he is confident that the Accord Party members joining the PDP will not regret their decision.
He urged PDP executives at various levels to cooperate with the defectors, in preparation for the upcoming local government elections.
Dignitaries present at the event included the PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; Lagos State PDP Governorship candidate in 2023, Olajide Adediran (Jandor); former Minister of Power and Steel, Wole Oyelese; former Oyo State PDP Chairman, Kunmi Mustafa; current member of the House of Representatives, Abayomi Oyedeji; former Chief of Staff to late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Saka Balogun; Senator Gbenga Babalola; and other prominent figures.
