Oni's Defection Won't Threaten APC's Victory, Says Party Chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Seyi Osekita, has said the defection of the former Governor of the state, Segun Oni, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won't dim the chances of the ruling party in the 2022 gubernatorial poll in the state.

Osekita, who was the Alliance  for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate in 2014, said Oni has no political structures that can overwhelm the APC, adding that the combined forces of Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of  Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Niyi Adebayo's political machinery in the state is sufficient for the party.

He stated this in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday during a chat with journalists on how Oni's defection would alter political permutations ahead of the 2022 governorship election in Ekitithe state.

The APC chieftain alleged that Oni was only desperate to be governor with his action, saying he will be disappointed by those who lured him back to PDP.

According to him, "We are not going to have any sleepless night over Oni's defection because with the level of performance of Fayemi in the areas of road and water infrastructure,  education, social investment and strong economic programmes, it will be difficult for PDP to win in Ethe state in 2022.

"Hundreds of Oni can't defeat Fayemi in any election. Even if I am put on the same ballot with him, he can't defeat me let alone a big and performing party like APC.

"PDP is dead in Ekiti State and no one can resurrect it. Fayemi is building on a good foundation he laid during his first term, and all Ekiti indigenes at home and abroad must support him."

Osekita described the allegation raised by Oni that those loyal to him and others who defected from PDP to APC were being discriminated against and ostracised in the running of the party, as calling "a dog a bad name in order to hang it."

"Oni was only posing like a desperate person with this comment. I joined APC from AD and I have been given the best of opportunities in the party. All my supporters were being treated like founders.

"Shortly after Oni joined APC, he was made the deputy national chairmanship position and later a senatorial ticket, which he declined. He is now a chairman of a federal board. What recognition could have been more than this?" He asked.

Osekita predicted that Oni would still return to APC after being dumped by those who lured him back to PDP.

He added: "His calculation for 2022 was wrong. He is from Ekiti North where Fayemi hails from. He ought to know that power can't return to that axis again, it is either Ekiti Central or South district.

"Also, this deceptive idea that he will get automatic ticket in PDP is wrong. There are other more powerful and interested parties in the opposition and this will constitute serious obstruction to his ambition," Osekita said.