Olusegun Mimiko, governor, Ondo State, has formally announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from Labour Party. The defection ceremony, which was presided over by the Namadi Sambo, vice president, at the Presidential Villa, saw other members of Labour party in Ondo state in the national assembly defecting with him to the ruling party.
“I, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, following extensive consultations across the land, today finally announce the decision of members of the National Assembly from the LP in Ondo State, members of the LP in the Ondo State, members of the LP in the Ondo State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and indeed all those who share our aspirations, to join the PDP” he said at the ceremony.
Mimiko, who contested and won the governorhip election of Ondo State under the umbrella of Labour Party, said the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan is paramount to him personally.
In his address, David Mark, the Senate President, who expressed delight at the development, noted that the governor returned from “self-exile”. He also urged Mimiko to contribute to the successful reconciliation efforts going on within PDP, his new party.
The defection ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State governor and PDP leaders from the southwest.
For weeks there have been speculations that the governor has defected to PDP, which he denied.