No fewer than 30 family members of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and former Acting National Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party, n-PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, have deserted him and defected to the PDP.

The defectors said that they were tired of Baraje's deceit as he had consistently failed to fulfill his campaign promises to them.

Spokespersons of the family, Alhaja Joko Baraje and Mallam Soliu Baraje, stated this at a press briefing at Freedom House, Adewole area in Ilorin.

They expressed their desire to join the PDP family in Kwara State to wrest power from the APC government in 2015, adding that "the people of Kwara are seriously in need of liberation."

Also speaking, PDP Chairman for Baboko Ward, Mallam Nasiru Abubakar, noted that the party had delivered the dividends of democracy in several states.

He added that the case of Kwara State had remained different due to the calibre of people at the helms of affairs in the state for the past 11 years.

"Now that they have left our party, more progressive minded people are joining our party in multitude and by the grace of God, the PDP will capture power in 2015 in the state," he added.

Abubakar assured the defectors of harmonious working relationship as well as enjoyment of full membership benefits, stressing that their interests would be adequately protected.

Receiving some youths in his family residence, Alhaji Baraje appealed to youths in Kwara state to continue to be law abiding in their various communities.

He advised those in his community, Baboko Ward, to always be conscious of their utterances, actions and guide against any thing that could cause disaffection among themselves.

Alhaji Baraje made the plea when he addressed a across-section of a youth group known as Abubakar Kawu Baraje Group, AKB from Baboko Ward in his family residence following an attempt by some youth in the area to tarnish his name and that of members of his family.

The APC chieftain urged them to guide against being misguided or used by some unscrupulous elements to foment trouble or cause disunity in Baraje compound in particular by tarnishing the image, reputation, good neighbourliness, maturity and understanding it had attained over the years.

He described as unfortunate the action of some youths in the area who claimed to be members of Baraje family and reportedly went to pledge their support for the PDP and thereby using his name, that of his son, Biodun Baraje and other members of the family to gain undue popularity and attempting to cause crisis within his family, which he said, was solidly behind him.

He, however, said their nefarious and clandestine game plan had been uncovered and reported to the police for necessary action.

Responding, the leader of the AKB Youth Group, Mallam Jimoh Baraje, pledged their unflinching support for the APC leader, who he described as a reliable and dependable father and political leader.