Governor ,Oyo State, Nigeria Abiola Ajimobi
Ajimobi of Oyo State on Friday warned members of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state to avoid unhealthy rivalry and politics of bitterness in the interest of development.
The governor said this while receiving defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, Accord and All Nigeria Peoples Party from Ibadan North Local Government area of the state into the ruling party. On hand to receive new entrants into the party on the occasion were the state Chairman of ACN,Chief Akin Oke; Representative of Ibadan North in the House of Representative, Abiodun Awoleye; and representative of Ibadan North II in the state Assembly, Segun Olaleye.
Ajimobi said it was common to experience tension and unhealthy rivalry between the old and the new members when defectors from other parties joined a ruling party.
He said, "Politicians are fond of vain glory saying we did this and that for the party and the elected office holders. I pray you will not regret joining our party. "There should not be any sentiment between the new members and the old ones. We are all ACN. There is no one that can claim that he single-handedly ensured victory for the party. We all did it. We all made the victory. "As you join the party you don't form any caucus. Work together so that Oyo will be a progressive state. That is the secret of the success recorded in Lagos. If we destroy the party we shall pay adversely for it. We should not engage in discord".
Awoleye, who urged the people to embrace progressive politics, said, "What attracted the defectors into Ajimobi's government is infrastructural development. The new members being welcomed into the party today voted against the ACN at the poll. But they have seen commitment on the part of the state government. "The ongoing infrastructural development in the state is unprecedented. Oyo used to be a pacesetter state but by the time Ajimobi came to power everything was in a mess. This administration is restoring the glory of the state. Even the defectors are saying it.
"We urge the people of Oyo State to join hands in moving the state forward. We should play politics of development". Oke said, "Both the old and the new members in the party shall have equal right".