Ex-Ondo Gov, Mimiko, dumps PDP, joins APC By Dally Iyamu

Ex-Ondo Gov, Mimiko, dumps PDP, joins APC

By Dally Iyamu 

Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) the Ed exhis Ward 7, Ondo West Local Government Area Secretariat in Ondo City.

Mimiko, who had earlier resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by ward and local government executives, the state chairman of the party, and a large gathering of party faithful in Ondo City.

Speaking after his formal registration, the former governor said his decision was driven by a desire to support the reform efforts of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

He noted that while more work still needs to be done, the government is taking steps to keep Nigeria on the path of peace, progress and genuine development.

Mimiko specifically praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative aimed at expanding access to education, as well as ongoing efforts to decentralise policing, a long-standing cause he supports through advocacy for state police.

It will be recalled that although many of Mimiko’s associates moved to the APC ahead of the last Ondo governorship election, he remained in the PDP but played little active role until he resigned more than a month ago, stating he was no longer a member of the party.

Welcoming him on behalf of the state leadership, APC Chairman Kolawole Babatunde described Mimiko as a progressive whose achievements in health, education and infrastructure made his entry into the party a “homecoming.”

Also speaking, former lawmaker Joseph Iranola Akinlaja said Mimiko’s move marked the final consolidation of his political structure within the APC, adding that members were now united to work for future electoral victories of the party.