The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a demonstration of political naivety, the rally staged by the opposition Accord Party, on Tuesday at the Mapo Hill, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to welcome some defectors into its group.

Among the members who newly joined the Accord Party, yesterday, were Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate; a former Oyo North Senator, Gbenga Babalola; one of the sons of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao, Semiu; one of the sons of former Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Kabiru Gbadegesin and Dr Fola Akinosun.

This was contained in a statement released and signed by the APC’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Olawale Sadare, who faulted AP over what it called the party’s notoriety “for parading in public the same set of pretenders as defectors from the APC, with a view to misinforming the public,” adding: “It (the rally) was held to celebrate some politically naive and over-zealous individuals who have penchant for sabotaging genuine and well-defined efforts to improve the quality of lives of the masses, since their mantra revolves around individualism.”

While welcoming the new members into the party, Senator Ladoja said: "Accord, which started as a mustard seed, had germinated and grown into a mighty oak, providing political sanctuary to politicians from all the other parties in the state, particularly

those interested in the welfare of the citizenry.”

While presenting the party’s flag to the new members, Ladoja that more politicians from the other parties had indicated interest in Accord membership and would soon join.

•Photo shows National Leader of the party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, being flanked by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin; Senator Gbenga Babalola; Dr Fola Akinosun, during the presentation of the party’s flag, and cross section of crowd at the rally, held at Mapo, Ibadan