Ajia Balogun of Ibadanland, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Oloye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke has said that he did not defect from Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) but he only moved on with obvious and substantial reasons.
Adegoke disclosed this while speaking with the crew of naijatodaynews.com in his office at the capital of the pacesetter state.
While stating the reasons he left PDP, Adegoke disclosed that he moved to the new party in line with his constitutional rights of freedom of movement and association with the political party of his choice.
Adding that his departure from PDP to APC should not be tagged ‘Defection’ but constitutional rights and privilege of freedom of movement and association.
He lamented that he could no longer be in a party where Governor Seyi Makinde could not respect opinions, pieces of advice, suggestions and personalities of individuals who were instrumental to his emergence.
Adegoke alleged Makinde of being dictatorial, despotic and undemocratic on issues and affairs that have to do with the state’s progress.
He said that time without number that he and some other notable men within the party and beyond had made several efforts to meet with him,which he felt reluctant to welcome till last minute he left the party.
To substantiate his claims, Ibadan based billionaire business magnate stressed that he and other members in Jericho Business Club had tried all efforts to meet with him, he declined and appointment eventually proved abortive.
He alleged Makinde of inability and failure to take to notable pieces of advice from those that matter in the party and beyond, Adegoke made mentioned of advice rendered on the issue of Amotekun Security Network, late Comrade Yemi Likedat’s proposed insurance for his children, decongestion of trafick gridlock in Ibadan and some other related suggestions which he had not acknowledged not to talk of response.
Adegoke said many that surrounded Makinde and most importantly the appointees could not tell him the truth for fear of loosing appointments and other juicy benefits in his government.
He said democracy remained a government of the people, by the people and for the people, stressing that every public office holder, no matter highly placed is expected to play games according to the rules and tenets that uphold and sustain the system of government.
Adegoke added that democracy calls for respect of individual’s opinions, suggestions from intellectual and notable democrats whose words of wisdom would be useful for the progress of governance.
He said that those who participate in electoral process should be allowed to form opinions, policies and programmes on how governance would be effectively and smoothly run.
Adegoke added that when opinions of others are not being welcomed and respected, dictatorial and despotic styles of government would undermine genuine principles of democracy which could spell doom of government at the long run.
He appealed to all public office holders to thread softly and ensure that their actions, policies and programmes are carried out in accordance with laid down tenets of democracy.
