The Chairman of Sugar Memorial Foundation, Hon Olajide Olatoye, popularly called ‘Big Daddy’ who is the elder brother of late Honourable Temitope Olatoye Sugar who represented Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency at the 8th National Assembly, has officially dumped All Progressive Congress (APC) for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he was received by the party’s staunch members yesterday, 8th October, 2020.
Olatoye while receiving the flag themed the decamping as “returning home for all members of Sugar’s foundation” as they are bonafide sons of PDP expressed delight over the development.
He explained that himself, his followers and supporters have all joined the PDP at the state level but had to formalize their membership at the local government noting that politics is local and must be practiced from the home front.
He said “Sugar foundation is back after being away for so many years. Before the demise of my late brother, a meeting was held with his officials, and they reached a conclusion that the Sugar foundation was going to support PDP in the 2019 elections, because the ways of the Foundation is the way of PDP and also His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo state is a good man”.
While speaking with CEOAFRICA he said “it was the presence of Sugar during the election at Lagelu LGA that scattered the plans of the APC.”
“So, the return of the Sugar Foundation to PDP is to bring about goodwill for the fulfillment and growth of the party,” he added.
Speaking on the 2023 elections, Olatoye stated that he has 100% conviction that PDP will win at the federal level.
He said “PDP will win the coming 2023 Elections at federal level, and APC would not stand a chance”.
Speaking on the bold step taken by Hon Olatoye and other members of the Sugar’s Foundation, the lawmaker representing Lagelu constituency at the Oyo state house of assembly, Honourable Akintunde Olajide, who expressed joy and satisfaction, said it was a right decision for the decampees. .
He explained that the only difference between PDP in Lagelu and other political parties is in the choice of political association stressing that Lagelu remains one of the local governments in the state with everyone at the grassroots being members of one large family.
The lawmaker who doubles as the chairman, House committee on Commerce and Cooperatives explained further that Governor Seyi Makinde has completely changed the political narrative in Oyo state, making politics a more enticing, appealing and less dirty profession to venture into.
He stressed that both old members and the new members all have equal rights and access in the party and warned against any form of discrimination that may breed disunity and acrimony.
He urged the new members to see themselves and other members as one big family and partners in progress towards repositioning the party for continued peaceful and harmonious relationship as well as future election victories.
In the same vein, the Deputy Chairman, Oyo state PDP, Hon James Olukunle, who represented the state party Chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, described PDP in Oyo state as party with a clear vision headed by a visionary governor with unrivalled passion for the masses and Oyo state at large.
Hon Olukunle urged the new members to feel at home and freely aspire to the peak of their aspirations within the party stressing that all members regardless of time of joining the party have equal right and access.
Before official handing over of PDP party flag to the decampees, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, welcomed the new members and admonish them to continue to conduct themselves with dignity and mutual respect for other members adding that nobody will be denied or deprived of anything within the party both at state and local government level.
Ex Oyo Assembly Lawmaker Honourable Olusegun Olaleye popularly known as ‘Radical Brother’ who was present at the event described the development as epoch and an impressive decision by the decampees at the right time’ calling on all PDP members in Lagelu to continue to work in tandem with governor Seyi Makinde’s open door policy as well as all inclusiveness style of leadership in the spirit of collectivism.
APC stalwarts across the local government that also joined the PDP are Comrade Osoyede Muritala, Oloye Lekan Iyiola, Oloye Kazeem Akinola (a.k.a Okuti), Mr Peter Adebayo, Comrade Matthew Oladele, Most Senior Apostle Obadimeji Olasunbo and other notable leaders and members.
Other members of ADP who followed ‘Big Daddy’ into PDP are Mr Biodun Badmus (a.k.a Daddy Tope), Dimeji Olatoye (a.k.a Ijoba), Comrade Akin Olasunde, Comrade Ogunniyi and other respected leaders and members.
Other members of Oyo state PDP executives comprising the state state Publicity secretary, Engr Akeem Olatunji, state women leaders Alhaja Wulemot, state Youth leader, Asiwaju Adekola, and others were present to receive the new members into the party.
