Scores of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Oyo State led by Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan and Chief Joshua Popoola, on Monday in Ibadan, formally joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Olopoeniyan and others were received into the party by the party’s National leadership led by its National Secretary, Retired Gen. Dipo Olayokun.

It would be recalled that Olopoeniyan parted ways with Governor Seyi Makinde over alleged neglect and high handedness.

Olopoeniyan said that he had already parted ways with the PDP, announcing NNPP as his new address in politics.

He said that NNPP would contest all the positions in the 2023 general elections and would win.

The political leader recounted his bitter experience with Governor Seyi Makinde in the PDP, claiming that he brought the governor into politics and could write his story.

While receiving the defectors, Olayokun said that the party was waxing stronger on daily basis, assuring the people of the party’s readiness to lead the nation at all levels.

He, however, denied speculations that the party was working toward a possible coalition with some other parties, saying that it was impossible for a big party like NNPP to plan such.

The NNPP leader urged the people to support the party and its candidates at all levels.

Also, Prince Ademola Ayoade, the NNPP National Vice-Chairman (South-West), said that the party was the desired alternative for the people.

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Ayoade commended the courage of Olopoeniyan and others who parted ways with the PDP based on their conviction that NNPP was “a better alternative”.

Commenting, Dr Tope Aluko, the NNPP South-West Leader, lauded Olopoeniyan’s political sagacity, describing him as a political leader with a human face.

Aluko described Olopoeniyan as a leader who had never betrayed his followers but do all within his capability to always promote their wellbeing.

He said that Olopoeniyan was instrumental to the election of the state, South-West and national leaders of the party.

In his remarks, Popoola, formerly a PDP governorship aspirant, said that they joined NNPP to contest all positions in the 2023 general elections and win.

“The PDP umbrella is torn and the party in the state is already finished. We are part of those who built the party and we have left the torn umbrella for Makinde.

“We are here today to formally join the NNPP and collect our membership cards. You can see our people moving into NNPP en masse today,” he said.

Among those present at the event were Mr Adesesan Adegbola, the State NNPP Chairman; Mr Soji Olaojo, State NNPP Secretary among other officers from across South-West.

The event featured the official registration of Olopoeniyan and Popoola by their ward leaders.

(NAN)

The Star