Three All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have attempted to persuade a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to join the ruling party.
They visited Ladoja in his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday.
Led by National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), the governors also visited a leader of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr Kunle Olajide, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola.
With Buni were Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu; Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru; a former Speaker of House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, who recently defected to the APC.
Ladoja had announced his retirement from partisan politics, saying he would only support parties and candidates of his choice.
In response, the Oyo State PDP said the governors’ visit to Ladoja was not a source of worry. Its Publicity Secretary, Mr Akeem Olatunji, said: “ Chief Ladoja is an elder statesman. Any political party or individual can visit him. Our national chairman, Uche Secondus, or APGA can visit him tomorrow. He is expected to be open to everybody as an elder statesman, irrespective of party affiliation since he is no longer carrying the card of any political party.
“Governor , Makinde is performing excellently and Chief Ladoja is happy with that. So, we have no reason to be disturbed about the visit.”