Former Ekiti State governor Segun Oni has announced his withdrawal from the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti ahead of the June 18 governorship election.
Oni had sought to be PDP’s candidate but lost to Bisi Kolawole in the primaries conducted on January 26.
Spokesman for Segun Oni Movement Adebayo Jackson confirmed the ex-governor’s departure from PDP to newsmen on Saturday, saying his resignation is with immediate effect.
Jackson said the decision by Oni and his entire political structure to leave PDP was taken at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Oni’s residence in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the State, earlier in the day.
Oni is, however, yet to clarify his next party of choice, though fingers are pointing at the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
According to Jackson, Oni yielded to pressures from majority of Ekiti people, who are desirous of returning him to the Government House, “under any political party”.
Jackson, a former publicity secretary of the PDP in the State, hinted that the former governor would be leaving PDP with hundreds of his supporters and followers.
“I can confirm to you that His Excellency, Engr. Segun Oni has finally resigned from the PDP. All the people of Ekiti have decided that they want Segun Oni as gubernatorial candidate on any political platform. And he had harkened to the calls,” he said.
“In fact, it was the image of Oni that has been promoting the image of PDP in Ekiti State. And once the PDP has decided to kill itself, we have to take a bow and leave.
“Ekiti people will not leave Oni alone to go like that because they can’t see any other person that can deliver what Oni has been doing for them.”
Corroborating him in a separate interview, former director of Segun Oni Campaign Organisation Lanre Ogunsuyi claimed the former governor’s exit followed injustice he suffered in the hands of some powerful forces in the party during the primaries.
