Rauf Olaniyan, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He announced his defection to newsmen on Sunday, June 6. This was done in his private office in Ibadan’s Ojoo neighbourhood.
Olaniyan insisted, however, that his position as the state’s deputy governor was unaffected by the defection; and that he had not resigned.
After consulting with his followers from around the state, the deputy governor made the choice.
Rauf Olaniyan described politics as “free entry and free exit;” and also claimed that he was persuaded to join the APC by all of his political supporters.
The new development has also doused tension and rumours over the sour relationship between the deputy governor and his boss, Governor Seyi Makinde.
Meanwhile, Senator Teslim Folarin, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has welcomed Rauf Olaniyan, into the party.
Olaniyan’s defection was regarded as a welcome development; and also a significant catch for the APC. This was in a statement personally signed by Folarin, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
He said the development was:
A reflection of the haughty and non-accommodating mentality of the state’s PDP leaders.
The state APC family is very excited that the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji AbdulRauf Olaniyan, has joined us with thousands of his supporters across the 351 Wards.
Olaniyan is one of the few technocrat-turned-politician I admire and respect.
With Olaniyan and other well-meaning stakeholders in Oyo State politics, we shall rescue the state from the PDP in 2023.
Oyo PDP is unfortunate for losing a great asset. There is no denying the fact that Olaniyan is a cool-headed man; highly cerebral and also undoubtedly the most experienced deputy governor in the history of Nigeria.
The APC flagbearer said that Olaniyan had never been allowed to give his excellent service delivery for the betterment of the downtrodden masses in the state.
Folarin further noted;
With personalities like Olaniyan in APC, PDP will suffer electoral humiliation in the 2023 general elections.
The strongest indicator for conducting an opinion poll is the uncontrollable exodus; the kind that has been hitting PDP in Oyo State since 2019.
