A former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, has defected from the Accord Party to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
Peller and thousands of Accord Party members in Oyo North Senatorial District formally joined the PDP at a ceremony in Iseyin, Oyo State.
Peller, who was elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 and later sought the Oyo North Senatorial ticket under the Accord Party in 2023, attributed his decision to the leadership qualities of Governor Seyi Makinde. D
The ceremony, attended by Governor Makinde’s deputy, Bayo Lawal, witnessed the symbolic reception of Shina Peller into the PDP.
Peller emphasized that visionary leadership is crucial for national development and praised Makinde’s achievements, including infrastructural development and establishing a tertiary institution in the region.
“I have seen the reason to align with the vision of Makinde. There is no leadership when there is no vision. And we have seen the good work Makinde has done in this zone, Oke-Ogun.
“It has never happened in the history of Oyo North Senatorial district.
“From Moniya to Iseyin; Oyo to Iseyin; Ogbomoso to Iseyin and so on. It has never happened before.
“So, if you have a visionary leader like him, you have to support him. That’s why we have decided to join Governor Makinde and the PDP to move the state forward,” he stressed.
In response, Governor Makinde, through his deputy, welcomed Shina Peller and the Accord Party members to the PDP.
He acknowledged Peller’s decision and urged other political parties to join hands in moving the state forward.
The governor emphasized unity and cooperation within the PDP to ensure success in the forthcoming local government elections.
“I want to advise our PDP executives in local governments to cooperate with them. The ward chairmen and local government chairmen of our PDP should give them a chance to operate.
“You should accommodate them because the local government election is fast approaching, so we should all join hands together to make sure that we clear all 33 local governments in the state,” he urged.
Dignitaries at the event included the PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; Lagos State PDP Governorship candidate in 2023, Olajide Adediran (Jandor); former Minister of Power and Steel, Wole Oyelese; and other political figures from the region.
Governor Makinde handed over the PDP flag to Shina Peller, symbolizing his official membership in the party.
