No fewer than 1,000 members of the Senator Buruji Kashamu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun State chapter have decamped to the State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors from Ogun East Senatorial District, led by Otunba Kolawole Akinyemi were received by the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Political Matters, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun on Thursday.
In reaction to this, Kashamu dissociated himself from defectors, describing them as “political prostitutes”.
In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Austin Oniyokor and made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday said, “I do not have any problem with anyone or a group of people exercising their right to freedom of association but such must be done responsibly and not with elements of lies, blackmail and outright subterfuge.”
“Kola Akinyemi and his co-travellers should desist from dropping my name in their political prostitution and voyage of anywhere ‘belle face’. I dissociate myself and my genuine followers from this group of desperados. Their movement to the APC in Ogun State does not have my blessings,” Kashamu said.
He added that while it is true that he has canvassed support for the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led Administration in the overall interest of the state, such should not be misconstrued to mean that he has defected to the APC or authorised any of his followers and associates to do so.
“It is true that politics is dynamic. If there is going to be any political alignment or movement in the future, it is going to be a collective decision with the buy-in of all stakeholders. And it will be done openly, not in the less than honourable manner that these characters have done theirs.”
The immediate past Senator, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District at the 8th National Assembly, urged all PDP members to keep faith with the party and continue to work for its interest and growth.
