Ogun State chapter of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN has disowned politicians parading themselves as UPN defectors to other political parties in the state, describing them as “homeless politicians ” seeking asylum and means of survival.
UPN in a press release jointly signed by the State Chairman, Aminat Olatunbosun and its Secretary, Moruf Popoola and made available newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday, said those defectors in the name of UPN are not representing the interest of the party, but an attempt to swindle desperate politicians who were eager to build their popularity in the state.
The party said it remain unshaken and unperturbed by the political gimmick of some desperate politicians to score cheap political point using UPN name to gain public acceptability.
The party said the success it has recorded, especially during the last local government election in the state is a testimony of what to be expected at 2019 poll in the state, stressing that, none of its registered members have defected.
“We have read in some dailies that, some people believed to be UPN members have defected to some unknown political parties, especially in Ogun State. But to set the record straight, UPN Ogun State chapter remain the only party that is yet to lose its members. Those parading themselves as UPN defectors are not representing our interest and not our registered members in the state.
“we are still having our ward to Local government and we make bold to say that, our camps are still intact. Those parading themselves as UPN defectors are homeless politicians who are seeking for asylum and source of livelihood.
“None of our registered members in Ogun State bear those names and whoever accommodating them does at their own peril. Nobody should use UPN as a way of gaining public acceptance. Very soon we shall declare our stand for the 2019 general elections in Ogun state and present our candidates to the public “.
The party therefore, commiserated with families of the deceased and victims of the flood that ravaged the entire Abeokuta on Friday where not less than 11 lives were lost, while property worth several millions of naira were destroyed.
The party however took a swipe at the state government for being insensitive and unresponsive to people’s plight.
UPN said, despite the warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological agency, NiMET and Nigeria Hydrological Services agency (NIHSA) of a possible flood in the country including Ogun State, the State government had refused to take drastic action to prevent the incident from happening.
It therefore, advised Governor Amosun led administration to set up a relief fund where all well meaning Nigerians could contribute to assuage the effect of the flood.