A former lawmaker representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Ifedayo Abegunde (Abena), has described his “court ordeal” in the last three years as a sacrifice for democracy and rule of law.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ondo State who spoke with after a thanksgiving service at St David’s Anglican Church Cathedral, Ijomu-Akure, thanked God for granting him the opportunity to serve his people.
Abegunde was ordered to vacate his seat because he dumped the Labour Party (LP) in 2012 and joined the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
He expressed delight that APC won the Presidential election.
Abegunde said: “Many people here are living witnesses to what I went through for exercising my right to choose an association I like. The heat was so intense as if hell was on earth and life will end abruptly.
“At the same time, I lost the senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a mysterious way and many party supporters and others believed I will challenge the process in court or abandon the party but I told my supporters, I will not challenge the decision of my party leaders.
“When I lost my seat in the National Assembly as a sacrifice for joining ACN many thought, I will be distracted. I want to tell the people that I am a democrat and have been in this system for long as House Committee Chairman on inter-governmental affairs between 2003 and 2007 and also served in the same capacity as Committee Chairman on Emergency And Natural Disaster supervising NEMA from 2011 till last month when the verdict came.”