A former governor of Ondo state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), impeccable sources confirmed to SUNSHINE HERALD.
This is coming on the heels of recent defection into the SDP fold by former chieftains of PDP like ex-Information Minister, Jerry Gana, ex-Education Minister, Tunde Adeniran ex-Niger Delta Minister, Godsday Orubebe, ex-Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State; and ex-Minister of Defence and a former Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dare Emiola.
According to competent sources, Mimiko, the former governor of the Sunshine state is still displeased with the way the PDP was hijacked by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state during the party's last national convention.
"I can confirm to you that Dr. Mimiko is set to dump the PDP for SDP, he is not happy with the way Fayose and Wike hijacked the party's national structure for their personal gains. Don't forget Chief Olu Falae, national leader of the SDP is someone really respected by him," said a close ally to the ex governor.
The source also said the fifth civilian governor of Ondo state has started meeting his loyalists within the state on the need to join the SDP.
Another source who spoke to SUNSHINE HERALD said Mr. Mimiko had already told him that he is dumping the PDP, but didn't mention the party he would be defecting to.
When contacted, spokesman to the former governor, Mr. Eni Akinsola, said any plan by his boss to dump the PDP won't be a speculation.
"Its just a speculation, if at all Dr. Mimiko will leave for any other party, its going to be categorical," says Akinsola.
Efforts to reach the Ondo State Chairman of SDP, Chief Korede Duyile proved abortive, as his number was switched off.
Mr. Mimiko was appointed as commissioner for health by late governor Adebayo Adefarati.
In 2002, he dumped the Alliance for Democracy (AD) for the PDP and was in 2003 appointed as the State Secretary to the Government (SSG) by the late governor Olusegun Agagu before being appointed as Minister by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
He dumped the PDP for Labour Party in 2006 to contest the governorship seat against Agagu, who was PDP candidate in 2007 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared late Agagu as the winner of the poll but Mr. Mimiko, who was not satisfied with the result approached the tribunal, where he was declared the winner of the election on February, 24, 2009.
On 2nd of October, 2014, he defected from the LP back to the then ruling PDP.
He was received by Vice President Namadi Sambo on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan at a brief ceremony held inside the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
