Akinlade’s defection shocking, says Ogun APC Chair

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Derin Adebiyi, has described as “a great shock” the defection of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s anointed governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade from the ruling party to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Akinlade had lost the APC ticket to Dapo Abiodun after the latter’s name was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the national leadership of APC.

However, the aggrieved governorship hopeful who currently represents Egbado South and Ipokia Federal Constituency on Thursday announced his defection from the ruling party in a letter read by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, at floor of the Green Chamber in Abuja.

Speaking with Daily Trust in a telephone chat in Abeokuta, the party chairman expressed his surprise over Akinlade’s defection, saying “that’s big news to me.”

He regretted that Akinlade dumped the party while the reconciliatory move was in progress.

“That’s big news to me. It’s a great shock. It’s surprising. We have been trying to resolve the matter (crisis). I will contact him immediately”, Adebiyi said.