1,000 Buruji Kashamu’s Loyalists Dump PDP For APC

At least 1,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, loyal to the Buruji Kashamu faction in Ogun East Senatorial District, on Friday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling.

Naija News reports that the defectors were received by Tunji Egbetokun, the Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters to Ogun State governor in Abeokuta.

Giving a reason for their decision, the defectors said they took the decision in a show of solidarity with Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Representing the governor, Egbetokun said that the defectors had made the right choice by joining “the progressives”.

Egbetokun assured them that the party would ensure fairness, equity and justice for all its members at all times, irrespective of when they joined the party.

His words: “Our party is open to all, even members of other parties. You have come at the right time. In our party, we do not discriminate; rather, we give due recognition to all members, irrespective of how long they have been members or their social standing.”

Egbetokun promised that the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun state would not disappoint members by formulating and executing policies and programmes that would have positive impacts on the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

He charged the party faithful to remain resolute and not engage in activities that would bring the name of the party into disrepute.

Egbetokun urged new members to ensure that more people joined the party, stressing that the administration would not stifle the opposition, as “competition becomes sweeter when there are opponents”.

On the other hand, Biyi Adeleye, the Consultant to the Governor on Political Matters, said the party was large enough to accommodate people from other parties, assuring that they would be mainstreamed rather than being discriminated against.

Similarly, Ayo Olubori, the state Secretary of the party, while appreciating the people for coming on board, applauded their strong desire to build the state with the governor.

The state Secretary of the party urged them to bring new members into the party and work towards its progress and that of the state.

On the other hand, Kolawole Akinyemi, the leader of the defectors, said they decided to join the progressives as a result of landmark achievements of the governor so far.

The leader of the defectors attested to the governor’s sincerity of purpose, promising that they would join hands with him to move the state forward.