PDP suffers setback in S/West state as ex-governor quits, gets set to return to former party

– Dr Olusegun Mimiko has quit the Peoples Democratic Party just as he concluded plans to return to his former party, the Labour Party

– Mimiko, a former Ondo state governor, said he was quitting the PDP for “well-thought-out personal reasons”

– In its response, the PDP pointed out that it had tried to convince Mimiko to stay; but that his exit would have no negative impact on the party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received a letter of resignation from a former Governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

Mimiko resigned from the PDP, as he concluded arrangements to return to his former party, the Labour Party (LP), Punch reports.

Plismila.com gathers that Mimiko’s action came following a disagreement which ensued between him and some PDP national leaders, shortly after he left office as governor in 2017.

Mimiko, in a letter addressed to the PDP’s state leadership on Wednesday, June 13, explained that the decision to leave the party was a personal one.

He stated in part: “I hereby with utmost humility, inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the PDP with effect from today, June 13, 2018, for some well-thought-out personal reasons.

“It was an honour working with the many prominent Nigerians with whom I shared the PDP platform for the entire period I was in there as a member.

“Accept, please, the assurance of my very high regards.”

In response, the state shairman of the PDP, Clement Faboyede said the party was waxing stronger daily, and that Mimiko’s exit would not have any negative impact.

He said: “Mimiko is a human being; he has the right to his opinion. We have tried at all levels to discourage him, but he insisted on leaving.

“One thing I know is that PDP will not die as he (Mimiko) leaves. We have survived many turbulent times in the past, so if he goes, it cannot affect us negatively.”

Olusegun Mimiko joined the PDP in 2014, and later became the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Meanwhile, Plismila.com previously reported that a group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) identified as PDP Support Group (PSG), called on former Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko to account for funds raised to campaign for the party in the state’s 2016 gubernatorial election, before leaving the party.

The group disclosed this after reports emerged that the former governor was planning to exit the PDP.

Bode Obanla, coordinator of the group, in a statement, also added that Mimiko must also defend himself against allegations of fraud concerning the 2016 campaign fund.