There are indications that some of the six chiefs of the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, who were expelled on Monday, had left the party before the announcement of their expulsion.

They are believed to have joined the All Progressives Congress.

While announcing the suspension on Monday, the PDP had stated that three of the expelled members were seen moving about with the State Boys, an organisation which is allegedly linked with the APC, “with the intention of causing a breach of peace.”

On Tuesday one of them, Mr. Teslim Igbalaiye was spotted dancing on the podium during Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Mega Rally in Ilesha, an indication that he had joined the APC prior his expulsion.

However, the former Secretary of Osun PDP, Maj. Raphael Towobola (retd), who was also reportedly expelled, said that he would remain a member of the PDP despite the expulsion.

Towobola confirmed that earlier in the year, while he was still the secretary, the other five expelled PDP members had written to the party, indicating their desire to leave.

He said, “Those people had gone. They had written their letters indicating that they were leaving the PDP even while I was still secretary. They were no longer party members, I don’t see the sense in expelling them.

“For me, I was the state secretary, whom the chairman placed on suspension and was waiting for their disciplinary committee which never convened. I don’t know how he took his decision. I remain a solid member of the PDP. I have no intention of leaving this party, not at all.”

Towobola said he heard of his expulsion in the media, noting that his ordeal started in March this year when he was suspended as secretary.

He said, “The kangaroo meeting was held in March and they suspended me as the secretary for one month. They said they were going to set up a disciplinary committee. I kept quiet. I heard about the expulsion the way you heard it. I didn’t do anything. I remain a member of the PDP no matter what.”

He criticised the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, for spearheading his expulsion and others barely 25 days to the governorship election in the state, a decision he said might affect the party.  

“If a party chairman thinks the best thing to do, 25 days to the governorship election, is to drag the image of the party down by saying some people are expelled, I don’t know what to say about that. I don’t know why he is embarking on such a thing now. But, I remain committee to President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP, and will work for the success of Senator Iyiola Omisore at the polls because he is the candidate of the PDP,” Towobola said.

Those expelled are Towobola, Igbalaiye, Mr. Yinka Adeojo, Alhaji Rasaq Oyelami, Alhaji Rasaq Oyetunji and Deputy Chairman of the party, Dr. Bashiru Salami.