Opeyemi Bamidele dumps APC for LP

ADO EKITI – After months of  horse‑trading and political manoeuvring, a member of the House of Representatives in EkitiState under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has finally dumped APC for Labour Party, LP.

Speaking while making his official declaration at Emure Ekiti, yesterday, Opeyemi said he was forced to part ways with his former party because of what he described as lack of internal democracy in APC and the way and manner some of his supporters were allegedly  discriminated against and oppressed by the ruling APC

 Opeyemi Bamidele

At the declaration which was witnessed by some ex ‑APC and PDP chieftains, including Professor Joseph Oluwasanmi, Prince Akin Olayisade, Akin Omole, Opeyemi said he decided to consult widely and the general opinion was that he should seek for alternative progressive party where he could achieve his political ambition.

“In coming to this conclusion, we have had to consult widely and in the process of our consultations, we had come to the realisation that many well‑meaning stakeholders, both within and outside of the political class in EkitiState, are genuinely desirous of sincere change.

“Also, after due consultation among stakeholders, including many of our community leaders and founding fathers of our dear state,we have resolved to adopt, as our political platform, the party of the workers, the artisans, the women and the youth, which undisputedly is the Labour Party

“We are convinced the Labour Party is a credible progressive platform of convergence for our individual vision and commitment to internal democracy, which informed our individual decisions to form a new alliance and change coalition.

He promised that he would make public a formal declaration of his new found party and his ambition in yet to be agreed date.

Reacting, the interim chairman of APC, Chief Jide Awe said Bamidele was never a member of APC, saying the party would not feel his exit from the party.

“Bamidele was a member of ACN under the platform he was elected to House of Represent- atives

“His declaration for another party is a good riddance to bad rubbish. We are comfortable more than ever with his exit.

Awe, however, charged Opeyemi’s  constituency to rise up to the challenges and query Bamidele’s continued representation in the House of Representatives.