Some 3,252 members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District.
Two former commisioners, Mr Tunji Oshanusi, Water Resources, and Femi Abolarinwa, Agriculture, were among the PDP stalwarts that defected.
The APC Zonal Chairman, Mr Ropo Asagun, received the defectors at Kabba township stadium during the official flag-off of the APC Zonal rally.
Asagun lauded the defectors for their brave decision to join the ruling party, saying it was a clear indication that the APC administration has performed credibly well, both at federal and state levels.
“This defection is an indication that APC is generally accepted in Kogi west, and the state at large, which is an assurance of our party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.
“The party will not discriminate against any member whether old or new,” Asagun said.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, urged the electorates to collect their voter cards, so as to reelect the APC in the 2019 general election.
He cautioned not to sell their conscience, but elect all candidates of the APC for the sustainable development of the state.
“APC is the only party that can save us from the hands of looters; do not sell your conscience, your PVC is your power.
“In the last three and half years, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice have done very well. Our achievements will speak for us,” Kolawole said.
Mr Ishaq Ajibola, a former Managing Director of Daily Trust Newspaper, said Yagba people had benefited immensely from the state government in the areas of political appointments and execution of projects.
He enjoined the people of the district to support and vote for all the candidates of APC in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
Also, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, the APC Kogi West Senatorial candidate, who spoke on behalf of other candidates in the zone, pledged to lead by example if given the opportunity to serve the people.
Adeyemi reiterated that the President was doing everything possible to make sure that the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex commence full operations in earnest.
He recalled that the PDP government sold Ajaokuta Steel complex when former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was the Chairman of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).
Adeyemi added that the Buhari administration was committed to the development of Kogi as a rail line had been designed to pass through the state covering major parts of Kogi West.
He therefore urged the people to continue to support Gov. Abubakar Bello and President Buhari, saying the governor had been fair and just to the zone.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of party flags to APC candidates at all levels, and stage performance by artists including popular musician, Saheed Osupa. With reports by NAN
