Offa Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday described the planned defection of its members to the Action Congress of Nigeria "a fathom exercise".

In a statement by its chairman, Mr. Goke Rabiu, and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Yinka Ajibade, the PDP said the planned defection was a mere propaganda by the ACN to pit the people against the state government.

It added that the ACN planned to use the exercise as "a ladder to stimulate the minds of voters in Offa LG against the PDP should the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission fix a date for any possible rerun".

The statement read in part, "This deliberate falsehood and crude propaganda is an indication of increasing frustration of the ACN in Offa. We, therefore, implore the PDP members and sympathisers in Offa to remain vigilant and faithful to the party and not to fall prey to the deliberate attempt by the ACN to deceive them."

But the state Chairman of the ACN, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, dismissed the allegation.

He said the ACN would begin the registration of members and receive the PDP defectors in Ilorin.

Olawepo said the defectors would be received by party leaders, including the National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and Dele Belgore (SAN).

He said, "The PDP is free to say anything. It is a sign we are a big headache to them, despite the initial denials. If they have cough today, the ACN is responsible for it; yet they claim there is no opposition in the state. It is a sign that they are concerned; that it is no longer business as usual.

"To them, we are a big disappointment and a pain in the neck because they were used to opposition disappearing after the election. They have our sympathies."

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