The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has vehemently denied reports of a mass defection of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, labeling the claims as “desperate” and “fabricated.”
In a strongly-worded press statement released today, the SDP accused the APC of creating a false narrative ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial elections in the state. The controversy stems from recent reports suggesting that “over 100 SDP members” had switched allegiance to the APC, a claim the SDP insists is unfounded.
Oyeniyi Iwakun, Strategic Communications and Media Adviser to the SDP Governorship Candidate, challenged the APC to provide “verifiable evidence of any significant exodus” from their party. Iwakun pointed out the lack of specific details in the defection reports, noting the absence of names of prominent defectors or precise locations of the alleged events.
The SDP’s rebuttal comes in response to an event reportedly held in Ondo town, where Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was said to have welcomed SDP defectors. However, the opposition party maintains that these claims are merely “a figment of imagination” designed to divert attention from the APC’s “faltering” position in the state.
Iwakun suggested that the APC’s focus on the SDP indicates growing concern over the opposition’s increasing popularity. He specifically highlighted the appeal of their gubernatorial candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA), stating that his rising profile has “evidently rattled the ruling party.”
As the Ondo State gubernatorial race heats up. The SDP remains confident in its position, with Iwakun asserting that their support base “continues to grow stronger daily.”
