Akinlade, former APM governorship candidate dumps APC for PDP

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

Former governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akinlade, in separate letters addressed to the state chairman and Agosasa Ward chairman of APC, said the failure of the national leadership of the party to intervene on the internal crisis in the state chapter is reason for his withdrawal.
The former member of the House of Representatives said he could not in good conscience continue to participate in a process that is devoid of justice.
Akinlade, the preferred candidate of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun in the 2019 general elections, dumped the APC to contest the election on the platform of APM following the declaration of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the candidate of the APC.
Akinlade emerged the first runner up behind Prince Abiodun, who won the election with about 19,000 votes.
He then returned to the APC after losing the election.
Akinlade also participated in the primaries of the APC ahead of the 2023 general election, but got no vote.
The letter addressed to the state chairman reads: “This is to formally notify you of the resignation of my membership from the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“In fulfillment of Article 9, Sub-section 9.5 (i)(ii) of the APC Constitution that deals with cessation of membership, I hereby state that I do not have any item or property of the party in my possession.
“This decision became necessary because of the failure of the national leadership of the party to intervene fairly in the internal crisis rocking the Ogun State APC.
“As a principled and forthright individual, I cannot in good conscience continue to participate in a process that is devoid of justice.”