The former governor and the gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party(LP) in the just concluded general election in Oyo State , Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, has dissociated himself from reports that he plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former governor described the report as “a mere figment of imagination of some people,” noting that he needed not defect to a ruling party in order to play a significant role, especially at this point in time when “there is a need for collective effort to build our state and Nigeria together.”

In a statement issued in New York, United States, by his director of public affairs, Oludare Ogunlana, Alao-Akala said as a former governor and leader of LP in the state, he would willingly offer advice on how to move the nation forward if it was needed.

He said that the problems confronting the state at the moment deserved collective approach, adding that “the problem of unemployment, non-payment of workers’ salary, lack of fund and dwindling allocation from federal purse require collective approach.

“Today, we are one Nigeria, irrespective of our ideological and political lineage. Hence, I want to reaffirm my commitment to my party, Labour Party and also want people to disregard the report of my defection to APC.”

He urged the people to be resolute, not forgetting to pray for the state and the nation in this trying time.