Former Ondo Gov Mimiko Defects to APC

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on Thursday at the party's secretariat in Ward 7, Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo City.

Mimiko, who served as governor from 2009 to 2016 and was the first in the state's history to complete two full terms, had resigned his PDP membership more than a month earlier. He told supporters and party leaders that his decision stemmed from the performance of President Bola Tinubu's administration. "There are a lot of good things being done by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, and though much more will still have to be done, I am coming in to lend my support to ongoing efforts to keep Nigeria on the path of peace, progress and genuine development," Mimiko said. He specifically praised the National Education Loan Fund initiative for expanding access to education and efforts to decentralize policing, which align with his long-held support for state police.

State APC Chairman Hon. Kolawole Babatunde received Mimiko on behalf of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other party members. Babatunde described the move as a homecoming, noting Mimiko's record...