Governor is free to return to Labour Party, says party leader

Iliya made the offer in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Monday.

NAN reports that Mimiko was elected Ondo State governor under the platform of Labour Party in 2007 and 2012, but defected to Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Oct. 3, 2014.

Iliya, who did not say whether Mimiko had shown interest to return to Labour Party, described the governor as a "politician of repute.’’

"The governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and his followers are free to come back to Labour Party.

"Gov. Mimiko is a person to be reckoned with politically and he is free today if he decides to come back to Labour Party.

"Nobody will stop him because he has contributed his quota to the party and he has worked in Ondo State as governor under the Labour Party.

"Whether we like it or not, when we write the history of Ondo State and the performance of Gov. Mimiko, the Labour Party will be mentioned,” she said.

Iliya said that the defection of the governor from Labour Party was not personal, but it was the decision of the majority of his followers.

"When we talk of politics, some people do not look at the party. Some look at the person and it is what your people want you to do that you do.

"As far as lam concerned, l will not blame Gov. Mimiko for leaving our party for another party because he did not go there as a person.

"It was the same group of people who asked him to contest under the Labour Party that also asked him to go to another party,’’ she said.

Iliya said the party had put in place mechanism to win the Nov. 26 governorship election in the state and the 2019 general elections.

The deputy national chairman, who told NAN that the party had a large membership in Ondo State, also said those who left the party would return soon.

"Labour Party in Ondo State is waxing stronger. Just give us from now till the next election, people will be surprised by our performance,’’ she said.

Iliya commended the Labour Party in the state for conducting peaceful, free and fair governorship primary.