Published January 26, 2021
Abiodun Nejo, Ado Ekiti
Former Ekiti State Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Tope Aluko , on Monday , dumped the party to join the All Progressives Congress.
Aluko , an ally of former governor Ayodele Fayose , who announced his decision at an event held at the APC Ward B Secretariat, in Irepodun /Ifelodun Council area of the state , described the APC as a blessing to his Iyin Ekiti hometown .
He said, “ I can boldly say that the APC remains the only party to align with at this present time . All Tope Aluko followers are currently enlisting into APC and I am happy to be part of the moving train .
“ I can beat my chest and say I am in safe hands as APC is lucky to be in the hands of focused leaders like Governor Kayode Fayemi , Otunba Niyi Adebayo and others in the state .
“ If you are from Iyin Ekiti, you will know that Governor Kayode really favoured us in elective and appointive positions. So, I am coming to add value to this party. I am not here to cause trouble . They have given me the guidelines and I am ready to abide by it in the interest of discipline in our party. ”
Aluko , who described Fayose as “ a mentor , brother and friend , ” said, “ In December last year , I told the former governor that I wanted to settle down in Iyin Ekiti and play my politics . I told him I would be joining APC and he approved of it . So, this defection won ’ t strain our relationship in any way .”
APC State Chairman , Paul Omotoso , who alongside other party chieftains received Aluko into the party , described him as “ big fish. ”
Omotoso said, “ No new person in the APC . We are all equal and you start benefitting the very day you join us, so nobody would discriminate against you . ”