+ Jimoh Olaifa, Others Opt Out
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADC), in the last general election in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, has concluded plans to dump the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gateway Times can reliably inform that the followers of GNI as the politician is fondly addressed, known as ‘The Believe Movement’ across the state’s 20 local governments will also be moving to APC in solidarity.
An inside source privy to the defection plans said that several meetings have been held between GNI and his strategists, ditto his foot-soldiers, to put final touches to the plan and official announcement would be made soon.
Prince Isiaka had thrice contested for the number one seat in Ogun State without success. He tried his luck on the platforms of PPN, PDP and lately ADC.
The Yewa born experienced grassroots politician who was widely believed to be former Governor Gbenga Daniel’s political son, had committed a fortune into the governorship project since he launched out over a decade ago.
Gateway Times also gathered that the declaration ceremony will hold next week when Governor Dapo Abiodun and the APC leadership are expected to officially welcome Isiaka and his loyalists into the party.
However, this magazine learnt that all the elected lawmakers on the platform of ADC in the 2019 general election have opted out of the defection plans. They include, Hon. Olaifa Jimoh Aremu (OJA), a member of the House of Representatives, and three members of the state House of Assembly.
Hon. Olaifa who spoke through his Senior legislative aide, Comrade Wale Junaid on Sunday, January 12, 2020, said the lawmaker would not be part of the defection plans.
According to him, “Hon. Olaifa Jimoh Aremu (OJA) representing Egbado North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja, is not with our leader and symbol, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) on the plan to defect to APC. Section 68. (1)(g) of our constitution is very clear on this matter, which states that: 68 (1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if –
(g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.
However, I am happy to inform you that this does not affect the existing cordial relationship, cooperation and understanding between Governor Dapo Abiodun-led APC government in Ogun State and the four elected lawmakers from ADC as this is continuing. Also, our leader, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) and the four elected lawmakers are in constant talks; they meet regularly and relate harmoniously,” Junaid concluded.
