It was jubilation and encomiums on parade on Tuesday as the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Irewole Federal Constituency formally welcomed and received Osun Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Yemi Lawal, into the ruling party.

Lawal, who was the running mate to the former Osun Deputy Governor, Sen. Iyiola Omisore in the 2018 Osun Governorship Election, was formally received by the party’s leaders shortly after he declared his defection into the ruling party and registered in Apomu, Isokan Local Government Area of the State.

The Youth and Sports Commissioner who is one of the Omisore’s confidants pitted his tent with the ruling party following the formal declaration and defection of his boss into the APC.

Recall that Omisore, the former Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation who contested twice under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday formalised his membership with the ruling party in Ile-Ife.

The gale of defection that hit SDP was as a result of the positive fallout of the coalition that came into being between the party and APC shortly after the 2018 gubernatorial election.

Receiving the defector, the APC Chairman, Isokan Local Government, Alhaji Bashiru Osunlakin, extolled Lawal’s high sense of patriotism and passion for the development of the people and the State at large.

Osunlakin assured equal treatment for all the members of the party, noting that the leadership of the party would continue to be fair and just in running the affairs of the party.

Also, the former Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Isokan Local Government, Mr. Afolabi Semiu, commended Lawal for taking a bold step to join the progressive train.

Semiu who had also declared his defection and registered as APC member, said their decision to join the progressive family was premeditated to collectively transform the state.

He assured their readiness to put in their best and ensure that the ruling party wins all the elections in Isokan in particular and the State at large.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Yemi Lawal urged all the members of the SDP to troop out enmasse to register with APC.

Lawal who expressed satisfaction on his transition to new party said, “I am happy today to have become a bonafide member of the APC.”

He reiterated his personal commitment to do everything humanly possible to advance the cause of the party.

Some of the party leaders at the registration point were APC Chairman, Isokan Local Government, Mr. Bashiru Osunlakin; Isokan APC Ward Chairmen, party leaders among others.