The former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has denied social media report of his planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC saying partisan consideration is the least of his concerns now.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, John Paul Akinduro and made available to NEWSREPORTERS, the former Ondo governor said as a concerned Nigerian, his major preoccupation is how to pull the nation back from the brink occasioned by widespread insecurity.
According to the statement, the supposed defection of Mimiko to APC “is a piece of fake news.”
Dr. Mimiko has been in Abuja in the past one week or so, the statement continues, “to attend some events, including the meeting of some NGOs with ethnic-nationality leaders, all hinged on heartfelt concern for the deepening insecurity in the land; and how to fashion out workable solutions, especially through the plank of restructuring.
“He, within the days of his stay in Abuja, actively participated in the programme tagged ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Transition Inter-Etnic Peace Dialogue,’ held at the Trancorp Hilton, Abuja, on Monday, and the 71st Birthday Celebration and Book Presentation of his party stalwart and friend, Honourable Iranola Joseph Akinlaja, held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, on Tuesday, June 1st,” the statement added.
“It is noteworthy that at Hon Akinlaja’s book presentation, Dr Mimiko harped on the theme of security, by advising the President on the centrality of the security challenge to his legacy. He also had many informal meetings with Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political divide, on the need to find lasting, just and fair solutions to the orgy of violence and bloodletting across the country.
“No where was any mention made or discussion held on any possible defection to any party. Dr. Mimiko remains in the Zenith Labour Party and his hope has been a collaboration of left leaning political groups to offer a real ideologically driven alternative in the nation’s political process,” the statement concluded.
