Akinlade Disowns APM Decampees, Says Disgruntled Elements Are Behind 'Kangaroo' Defection

Akinlade

ABEOKUTA - A leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ipokia local government area of Ogun State, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade has distanced himself from purported defection of some members of Allied People's Movement (APM) in the state.

Akinlade while reacting through his media aide, Adelani Azeez, to a statement by some politicians who claimed to have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ipokia Local Government on Sunday said the statement was miles apart from the truth.

Akinlade who was the APM gubernatorial candidate in 2019 described the defection news as Kangaroo said the 'arranged' defection was to ascribe relevance to some APC members in the state.

The ex-lawmaker explained that APM had ceased to exist since 2019 when he led his loyalists and stakeholders back to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He noted that, all former members of the APM members took part in the last APC membership revalidation exercise across Ogun State and till date carry the membership card of the APC with pride in the state. 

He maintained that, none of the so-called “APM leaders” can produce a single APM membership card. 

"In a failed and miscalculated political move, some disgruntled minority elements within the APC in a desperate bid to ascribe some relevance to themselves have resorted to cheap propaganda by claiming that some APM leaders recently decamped into the APC in Ogun State. A claim that is several miles far from the truth. 

"First, Allied Peoples Movement ceased to exist in December, 2019 when Hon. Adekunle Akinlade led his loyalists and stakeholders back to the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State at a Press briefing in the state capital. A move that was welcomed and acknowledged by the National leadership of the APC. 

"Secondly, all former members of the APM took part in the last All Progressives Congress membership revalidation exercise across Ogun State and till date carry the membership card of the APC with pride in the state. To the contrary, none of the so-called “APM leaders” can produce a single APM membership card. 

"Furthermore, Ipokia Local Government; being the home and political base of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade is fully for the All Progressives Congress of President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA). Therefore, there is no APM member anymore in Ipokia or Ogun State since December, 2019. 

"Also, the Senator Ibikunle Amosun political structure of the APC in Ogun State has continue to wax stronger, vibrant and growing on a daily basis, as such, we are unperturbed by the lies from the mischief makers who are hell bent on creating confusion to expand their political cottage having lost in the bid to secure the people's minds with stipend. 

"As much as we understand the political motives of the sponsors of the said publication, we advise them to jettison the unpopular and obsolete politicking because it is counterproductive. It is also unfortunate that in-spite of the alleged resources at their disposal, this is the quality of individuals they could procure."