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Tag: defect to APC

  • More Sokoto PDP bigwigs defect to APC

    The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has lost Alhaji Ado Tambuwal, a staunch member of the party and political associate of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ado defected to the APC at Isa town in Sokoto East Senatorial District and home local government of former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa at the close of the zone’s governorship rally yesterday.

    He was received along with Yusuf Abdullahi, from Tangaza Local Government Area as well as Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkin Baki Sokoto, Mansur Abubakar Computer and Tsalha Turba, from Isa Local Government Area.

    APC chieftains, including the state’s Campaign Council Chairman Muhaamadu Maigari Dingyadi, Ambassador A. Wurno, Sebatir Salihu Bakwai, former Deputy Governor Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, Alhaji Umaru Nagwari Tambuwal, Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal, Alhaji Aminu Tambari Tafida, Alhaji Tsalha Sidi Mamman, former House of Assembly Speaker Lawalli Labbo Margai, Senator Abdullahi Ibrahim Gobir, party candidates and leaders stormed the ancient town in the euphoria to bury the PDP.

    Ado, a youthful politician with thousands of followers, said he wasted his time and resources to follow the PDP.

    He added: “My worthiness and contributions went in vain and to the wrong platform. Today, I decide to detach myself from its illusion and go with APC.”

    The young politician donated N2 million in Tambuwal Local Government Area for the presidential and governorship elections for any ward that returns the highest votes as follows: “First position: N500,000; second position, N300,000 and third position, N200,000.”

    The Northern Senators’ Forum Chairman Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko said APC’s issue-based campaign in the state was making serious impact.

    He said: “We are not attacking or abusing personality like the opposition PDP.”

    Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, noted that his predecessor, former Governor Attahitu Bafarawa, thrives on three fundamental odds: lies, ego and treachery.

    “All along, he has been dwelling on them to politick. I want to point out that President Muhammadu Buhari and myself are God’s planned work. He and others cannot destroy God’s creation and will.

    “We seek victory from God and money cannot buy Sokoto people’s conscience, but respect and doing the needful in trust, which are what we in APC are reaping from today.”

  • Hundreds of PDP members defect to APC in Kwara

    Scores of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Kwara State at the weekend defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors were mainly from Asa Local Government Area, one of the strongholds of the Saraki dynasty and home to the PDP governorship candidate, Abdulrasak Atunwa.

    The defectors, who trooped out in their hundreds, publicly renounced membership of the umbrella party.

    The state chairman and Assistant Treasurer of APC, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa and M. O. Kamar, were on hand to receive the defectors.

    The event was also attended by many party faithful and community leaders, including two House of Assembly candidates, Alhaji Opakunle and Alhaji Ibrahim; Alhaji Mahmood Babatunde Baako and Alhaji Isa Amosa.

    The defectors were also led by Mrs Racheal Abegunde, Mrs Taiye Garuba and Alhaji Anafi Mustapha.

    Kwara South Senatorial Chairman Gidado Alakawa said the defectors had served the PDP and their leaders for very long.

  • Lagos PDP chieftain Olawale-Cole, Accord members defect to APC

    •Why PDP can’t rule Lagos, by APC chairman

    A former Lagos State Finance Commissioner and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, as well as Accord Party (A) members, led by Princess Omoye Ikero, yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They were received into the party by the chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, who said the APC is determined to erase the PDP from the political map of Lagos.

    Presenting flags to the defectors at the party’s secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, the state capital, the chairman described APC as the party of destiny for Lagosians.

    He noted that its achievements remained unparalleled because its chieftains worked hard to make the state great.

    Balogun said: “I congratulate you for coming out of darkness to light. May you never return to darkness. You will not regret coming to the APC.”

    The chairman directed that the defectors should be registered immediately by the secretariat so that they could obtain their membership cards.

    The defectors included Badmus Taiwo (from Alimoso), Oderinu Olanrewaju, Adebiyi Idowu, Chief Ajara (from Ojo) and Morgan Olubukola.

    Welcoming Olawale-Cole into the party, Balogun said the former commissioner believed that APC is “a party of thinkers and growers,” unlike the PDP, which he said believes in sharing money.

    He added: “We will erase the PDP from the political map of Lagos.”

    Olawale-Cole, an Awori, said he defected to the APC in appreciation of the “quality and integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

    He added: “Our President is doing his best. He means well for Nigeria. My prayer is that all his good wishes will come to fulfilment. Our governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will win Lagos. Bad people should not rule Lagos and Nigeria.

    “I am in the APC to give service back to our party. As an Awori, we are saying that we are marginalised. We cannot gain from the party if we are not part of the party.”

    Ikero thanked her husband for allowing her to join politics, but said she was tired of Accord Party.

    She said: “I can’t keep staying outside the fence. Being outside APC is being outside the fence. Now, I am in the APC. I am inside the fence; being outside means labouring in vain. APC should continue the good work in Lagos and Nigeria.”

    At the event were Lagos APC Deputy Chairman Prince Sunny Ajose; Deputy Chairman (West), Chief Funso Ologunde, his Lagos East counterpart, Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya; State Secretary Dr. Wale Ahmed; Sanwo-Olu’s Campaign Manager, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Chief Fausat Gbadebo; APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Joe Igbokwe; his deputy, Abiodun Salami as well as Chief Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, Ademola Sodiq, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo and Mrs. Biodun Ramata Bankole.

  • 23 aggrieved PDP Reps threaten to defect to APC

    TWENTY-THREE House of Representatives members under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may soon defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt yesterday.

    The lawmakers are aggrieved by alleged plans by their state governors to substitute them with “anointed candidates”.

    The soon-to-be-defectors became uncomfortable with alleged manipulations by the governors in their states to block them from returning to the Green Chamber after the expiration of their tenure next year.

    A source said the aggrieved lawmakers are set to announce their defection immediately after resumption.

    The lawmakers have vowed that though they may not be able to contest as nomination and expression of interest forms have closed in the APC, they would be satisfied with bringing their teeming supporters to the ruling party.

    The states mostly affected by nomination crises are: Enugu, Ekiti, Anambra and Cross River, Gombe, Benue and Kogi.

    The source said the handling of nominations in the identified PDP states, was frustrating sitting lawmakers from returning to the parliament.

    Also, a committee overseeing smooth nomination of all PDP candidates across the states has failed to resolve the crisis.

    Some affected lawmakers from the Southeast states have also aligned with their angry colleagues, saying they might defect if their governors refuse to change their position.

    A source close to one of the lawmakers said: “We want to leave not because is our wish but the governors have pushed us to the wall and we are all moving

    “We have fought both physically and mentally to defend PDP and democracy and despite our commitment to the party and democracy see what the governors are doing to us.”

    Because of the situation, the lawmakers are allegedly demanding an early resumption against the background of speculated postponement of the resumption to October.

    “We are insisting that the National Assembly should resume early, to enable us perfect our defection strategy for good,” the source added.

    Efforts to the reach House Leader Femi Gbajabiamiila to ask if he was aware of the proposed move failed.

    The Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuma Oyema, could also not be reached for reactions on the issue.

  • PDP Senator, others defect to APC

    •Oshiomhole carpets politicians fuelling ethnic crisis

    SENATOR Sunny Ogboji, former Minister of Power and Steel, Goody Ogbaga, former Secretary to the State Government, Ifeanyi Odoh and former Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Augustine Nwankwegu, yesterday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Chairman of the APC Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged Nigerians not to be deceived by the antics of selfish politicians in the country trying to give the security challenges in the country an ethnic colouration in order to score cheap political points.

    He stated this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, at a rally organised by the party to welcome some new members who recently defected from the ruling PDP in the state.

    According to him, there is a plot to portray the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in bad light by portraying all the killings in some states in the country as the handiwork of herdsmen.

    “Let me urge you to be more careful because this season people are spreading untruth. People are being hired to turn the gospel upside down. They want us to believe that every problem should be explained in ethnic and religious terms,” he said.

    Oshiomhole urged the people of the Southeast to vote for APC and President Buhari in next year’s election as he has delivered democracy dividends to the zone.

    “If Buhari has remembered the Southeast which did not give him more than 10 percent in 2015 imagine what he will do if you give him 85 percent in 2019.”

    Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu in his remarks said in 2015 he pleaded with Southeast not to put its eggs in one basket but his pleadings fell on deaf ears.

    “In 2015, I pleaded with the zone not to put our eggs in one basket. Today I want them to compare the 16 years of PDP and relate it with just 3 years of PDP. The three years of APC is greater than the 16 years of PDP.”

    He said that in addition to the new River Niger Bridge and many federal roads in the zone, Buhari has also approved a new agency for robotics and artificial intelligence to be established in Southeast.

    “The time has come for the Southeast to be in the mainstream of Nigerian politics by voting for President Buhari and APC in 2019.”

    Former Governor of AbËa State, Orji Uzor Kalu said the new River Niger Bridge, which the PDP could not construct in 16 years, has now reached 53 percent completion.

    He also noted that work is progressing in the two major highways in the zone, the Onitsha to Enugu Road and the Enugu Port Harcourt expressway.

    The rally which was scheduled to hold at the Pa Oruta Ngele stadium Abakaliki was later moved to a playground near the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway following the refusal of the state government to grant the APC permission to use the stadium.

  • Dickson’s commissioner, special adviser defect to APC

    The Commissioner for Youths in Bayelsa State, Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo, and his supporters  yesterday abandoned the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Governor Seriake Dickson also lost his Special Adviser on Grassroot Mobilisation, Asare Mangate, to the opposition party in the state.

    But the government through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, wished the defectors well.

    “We wish them well and it is important to state that his exit from our government has not in any way dampened our faith, resolve and commitment to continue to support our youths and position them to take over the leadership of the state”, he said.

    Otobo and Mangate were received by the state leader of the party and former Governor Timipre Sylva, who was represented by the only APC lawmaker in the House of Assembly, Mr. Isreal Sunny-Goli.

    Some leaders of the party and crowd of party members thronged to the secretariat to cheer the defectors and their supporters.

    The leaders present at the event were the running mate to Sylva in the past governorship election, Wilberforce Igiri; state Chairman, Jothan Amos; ex-acting Speaker, Fini Angaye; APC state Secretary, Alabo Martins and the party’s Board of Trustees member, Pere Peretu, among others.

    Receiving the defectors, Sylva said the move signaled the victory of the APC in the state describing their decision to leave the ruling party as a wise one.

    He said it was obvious that the governor succeeded in restoring poverty in his cabinet and the entire state adding that more high profile members of the government would soon join the APC.

    He said it was time for APC members and people of the state came together to wrest power from Dickson and the PDP.

    He said: “It is obvious that the present government is restoring poverty in the land. It is time for us to come together to ensure that come 2019 we take over the government of the state.

    “We hear about sacking of workers in the civil service, killings because of peaceful protest by our people and l believe that is not what the people bargain for in the last election. The government has no ideas on government and it is our duty to take over, align with the federal government to bring goodies to our people”.

    Otobo, who received broom, the symbol of the party, said he resigned his appointment in Dickson’s government to join the APC.

  • Rivers PDP lawmaker, 3,000 others defect to APC

    •Dismisses Wike as a dictator
    •I’m a performer, trail-blazer-Gov

    No fewer than 3,000 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, including a member of the Rivers House of Assembly, Martins Mana, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

    Rivers APC chairman, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, described the mass defection as a special gift to Governor Nyesom Wike’s third anniversary in office.

    The youthful Flag-Amachree also disclosed many PDP members in Rivers Assembly and other chieftains of the ruling party (PDP) would soon join APC to truly move the state forward.

    Mana and the 2015 deputy governorship candidate of the party in the state, Honourable Asita and other leaders of APC spoke yesterday at Ahoada, the headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers when Mana, who represents Ahoada East constituency one, defected to the party with over 3,000 of his supporters.

    Mana had accused Speaker Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani (Andoni Constituency) of gross mismanagement and failure to see to the welfare of members and staff about two weeks ago in a chat with reporters.

    He also alleged he collected N600million from Wike for renovation but left the Assembly complex and quarters in decay.

    With his defection in the 32-member House of Assembly, APC has seven members while PDP retains 25 lawmakers.

    While speaking at the playground of Ahoada Civic Centre, Flag-Amachree said: “The defection of Hon. Mana is a clear demonstration of the failure of Wike’s government in Rivers State.

    “His defection is one of the numerous gifts we have for Wike on his third anniversary in office.

    “There are so many persons out there, who are tired and suffocating. They are suffering, but smiling. This is the time to join APC.

    “This is the time to make a clear decision that Wike will be a one-term governor.

    “We no longer practise democracy in Rivers State. What we now practise in Rivers State is Wikecracy – the government of Wike, by Wike and for Wike.

    “The only way you can stop Wikecracy in Rivers State is to support APC in 2019.”

    Mana said: “Some persons, for selfish reasons, decided to deceive us, including myself. They lied to us and gave us fake promises.

    “That is why I am very angry. We followed the deceitful government of Wike for three years.

    “The leadership of PDP in Rivers State is nothing but a big joke. Rivers people’s funds are being stolen on a daily basis. If you know what is happening in Wike’s government, you will weep for Rivers State.

    “God will push Wike out of power in 2019. The PDP-led administration of Wike has totally failed Rivers people.

    “Wike is a dictator. His government is deceitful. Wike made me to lie to my people to bring his bad government.

    “I want to say I am very sorry. Nobody lobbied me to detect to APC. I felt that the maladministration of Wike must not continue. That’s why I took the bold step. I am a born activist.

    He went on: “My colleagues in the Rivers State House of Assembly are dying in silence. Nobody can intimidate me. Nobody can suspend me.

    “Nobody can threaten me and my teeming supporters. A lot of them (Rivers lawmakers) are negotiating to join APC. I am proud of APC. My PDP colleagues in Rivers State House of Assembly should not be scared to join APC. In 2019, PDP will sink in Rivers State.”

    Reacting Wike denied allegation of being a dictator. He rather described himself as a performer and trail-blazer in execution of projects across the 23 local government areas of the state.

    He spoke through the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chief Emma Okah.

    Okah said: “Flag-Amachree, Mana and other APC jokers are entitled to their opinions. Rivers people know that Governor Wike is a performer, a trailblazer in the execution of projects and he is ensuring good governance in Rivers State.

    “Governor Wike is not and can never be a dictator. Rivers State House of Assembly is independent and well -funded.

    “APC leaders cannot point to one development project that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has executed in Rivers State.

    “We only got empty promises on Ogoni clean-up, Bodo-Bonny Road, reconstruction of Port Harcourt International Airport and East-West Road, among others.”

     

  • Emmanuel’s kinsmen defect to APC

    Emmanuel’s kinsmen defect to APC

    Several kinsmen of Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, including his cousins, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Among the defectors from the governor’s village, Awa Imang in Onna Local Government Area, are his maternal cousins, Kingsley Ufang and Valentine Ufang.

    Three former councillors who represented Awa Ward I, the governor’s home ward, Emmanuel Etuk, Imo Eshiet and Ekong Ituen, as well as the state’s representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Samuel Frank, also defected to the APC.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at Awa Iman, Kingsley Ufang said: “We left the PDP because we have not been well treated by our brother who, instead of showing respect to politicians on the ground and the people of the village, brought foreigners, who have never voted for anybody in their lives and who have no regard for anybody in the village.”

    He said the defectors would give the governor and his Chief Protocol Officer, Mr. Edmund Ufang, who is their cousin, a run for their money in the 2019 elections.

    Eshiet said former councillors who represented Awa Ward I, from 1999 to 2015, have become active members of APC.

    He urged political office holders to shun arrogance and carry their people along to avoid rejection and disgrace at home.

  • Dickson’s ex-aide, lawmaker, others defect to APC

    Dickson’s ex-aide, lawmaker, others defect to APC

    SOME former aides to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and thousands of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) members at the weekend defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors vowed to work for the success of the party’s candidate in the December 5 election, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    The defection occurred when Sylva’s campaign, led by Director-General of the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO) and Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, moved to Southern Ijaw.

    The ex-Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Furoebi Akene, who resigned his appointment and Dickson’s Special Representative to Southern Ijaw, Apreala Pereladei, were among those who joined the APC.

    Sylva and his entourage visited Otuan, Amassoma, Koluama, Foropa and Oporoma.

    There was drama at the Oporoma campaign ground when an aged woman in her 80s, found her way to the podium, shouting Sylva’s name.

    When they saw the woman, Sylva and Lokpobiri helped her to the podium, where she thrilled the crowd, dancing with the APC standard-bearer and the minister.

    She was given a broom, the party’s symbol.

    Addressing supporters and residents, Sylva said the council was a major stakeholder in the party because his running mate, Elder Wilberforce Igiri, and APC’s state chairman are from Southern Ijaw.

    He assured them that the party would improve their lives and urged them to embrace the APC for development.

    Sylva said his former administration started the controversial Yenagoa-Oporoma Road, also called the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District Road.

    According to him, he paid N10 billion to Julius Berger, contrary to the allegation by Dickson that he (Sylva) did not pay attention to the road.

    Sylva said it was regrettable that Dickson revoked the road contract and re-awarded it to a Chinese firm after Julius Berger had done preliminary work up to Anyama-Ijaw, about 25 minutes’ drive to Oporoma by boat.

    He urged the people not to be deceived by Dickson, noting that the governor was distributing appointment letters to unsuspecting indigenes barely two months to the end of his tenure.

    “Oporoma people, Southern Ijaw people, if you want development and progress, it is APC. PDP is dead. We have buried it in Abuja. We will also bury it in Bayelsa. The governor called me a guy man, but I called him a bush man.

    “On December 5, vote for me and my running mate. After victory, we will look at how to restore peace to Bayelsa. Companies will be established, there will be jobs and enjoyment.”

    Lokpobiri said Bayelsa could not afford to be in the opposition.

    He enjoined the people to join other states that had aligned with the centre.

    Sylva said: “A party does not make people. Individuals make a party. The burial date for PDP is December 5. On that day, we will dance proper Owugiri and bury the party finally. President Muhammadu Buhari told me he loves Bayelsa and that Bayelsa should be controlled by APC. If we hold election today, APC will win by 75 per cent. “

    The APC Chairman, Chief Tiwe Orumi Nighe, said the party had secured the future of the council by giving Southern Ijaw the running mate and the party chairmanship.

    He said Sylva would deliver on road, adding that besides the N10 billion the APC candidate paid for the Oporoma Road, Dickson paid nothing to advance the building of the road.