No fewer than 1,500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Alapa/Onire/Odegiwa Ward, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The decampees announced their decision to join the APC on Sunday during a ward meeting attended by the Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Alakawa; a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Shittu Motunrayo; and other party executives and supporters.

The new APC members said they left the PDP, led in the state by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, due to what they described as mistreatment of members, imposition of candidates and poor reward for loyalty.

They also said they were attracted to the APC by what they described as the party’s visible achievements and opportunities for members, particularly youths.

Addressing the decampees, Alakawa welcomed them to the APC, assuring them that they would be treated as members of the same political family.

He said, “Today, we are receiving no fewer than 1,500 members of the PDP from Alapa/Onire/Odegiwa Ward into the APC. Their decision to join us is a clear indication of their confidence in the APC and its programmes.

“There is no newcomer in the APC. Everyone is one, and we are all working towards a common goal. Those who perform well and occupy political positions are also leaders of the party.”

The LNRBDA chairman urged the new members to remain committed to the party and contribute to its growth at the grassroots.

Alakawa also commended the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for what he described as his performance in Asa Local Government Area.

“Governor AbdulRazaq has done well for the people of Asa, and the best way to reward his efforts is to support and vote for him in the forthcoming Kwara Central Senatorial District election,” he stated.

The lawmaker representing the area, Shittu, also joined other party leaders in welcoming the defectors into the APC and urged them to work with existing members for the development of the party.

The reception for the decampees underscored the APC’s efforts to expand its grassroots structure in the local government, as more members of the opposition party continue to announce their defection to the ruling party.

The latest defection comes ahead of the 2027 general elections and adds to the political realignment taking place across Kwara State as the major political parties intensify efforts to consolidate their grassroots support.

Source: punchng.com

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The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Lagos State in 2027, Dr Kadri Hamzat, says he is the best candidate for the position.

Hamzat, the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, said this was because of his understanding of the history and politics of the state.

He spoke on Sunday at the 70th Harvest Anniversary and Thanksgiving Service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, Olorunsogo Parish, Ese-Ofin, Lagos.

According to him, anyone who does not understand the history and politics of a state would find it difficult to govern effectively.

“I know the people that have ruled this state before and if I have any problems on land issues, I know where to go.

“Though nobody is perfect, I understand Lagos thoroughly,” he said.

Hamzat urged Lagos residents to beware of politicians who make attractive promises during election campaigns.

“Now we have come to the campaign period, different politicians will come to you to canvass for votes, promising heaven and earth.

“We in APC will not lie because we know the situation of things in the state.

“Lagos is more important than being used for jokes. Today, Nigeria is collecting over 33 per cent of GDP from Lagos.

“So, the state cannot be taken for granted. We cannot just allow any inexperienced person to rule the state,” he said.

The Deputy Governor said his experience in government had prepared him to lead the state.

“I was working in New York in 2005 when President Bola Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos, visited the city.

“He saw me while I was presenting a paper and invited me back home to join his government.

“Since then, I have worked as Commissioner for Science and Technology, Commissioner for Works and currently as Deputy Governor of the state.

“I understand the history and politics of Lagos,” he said.

Hamzat also urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country, saying God had a purpose for creating them in Nigeria.

Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State Governor, said she was delighted to celebrate the 70th Harvest Anniversary with church members.

“I haven’t been here for over four years, but thank God I am here today to celebrate with you.

“We are grateful to God for giving us someone like the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who came from here,” she said.

Rev. Esther Ajayi, Founder of Love of Christ Generation Church, urged Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders.

She prayed for God’s mercy, saying it was through His mercy that people could excel in life.

In his remarks, Ojelabi, the Lagos State APC Chairman and a senior apostle of the church, said the anniversary was organised to give back to society.

According to him, the celebration was divided into three parts, beginning with a Night of Praise on Friday.

“To cap it up, we realised we are in a rural area and needed to encourage our people through medical check-ups.

“So, that brought the idea of medical outreach on Saturday, and I’m so glad many people turned up for the programme. Today is the grand finale,” he said.

Ojelabi urged Nigerians to draw closer to God and have faith in Him.

He also urged religious leaders to imbibe Christian values in their activities, saying people were watching them.

Traditional rulers, APC chieftains, Lagos State commissioners, local government chairmen and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly attended the anniversary.

NAN

Source: punchng.com

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Stakeholders in Abia North, under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance, at the weekend, converged at the Isieke Civic Centre, Ugwueke, in Bende Local Government Area, where they reiterated their resolve to support, protect and sustain the good governance model of Governor Alex Otti beyond 2031.

Presenting the communique issued at the end of the meeting, which drew eminent sons and daughters of Abia North, the secretary and spokesperson of the group and former Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, said, “The purpose of this meeting is to reiterate that Abia has never found it so good in terms of good governance and that this good governance must be sustained at all costs.”

He said the interest of the group was to ensure continuation of good governance in the state, adding that it was the resolve of the stakeholders that the good governance transcended beyond 2031.

They called for all hands to be on deck to actualise the second-term bid of Otti and others, through voter education, especially those at the grassroots.

“We are non-partisan, we are the elders of Abia North, and we are the lone voice crying in the wilderness, calling on all and sundry not to allow this singular opportunity that we have prayed for over the years, which God has graciously granted us, in giving us a person like Governor Alex Otti, to slip through our fingers.

“It was also agreed that it is not enough to merely wish that Governor Alex Otti will remain in office beyond 2027. All hands must be on deck to actualise it.

“We resolved to embark on massive voter education, particularly at the grassroots and among the less literate. We also agreed to mobilise our youths not to succumb to pressure or inducement from other parties and not to sell their votes.

“If anyone offers them money, they should collect it, but at the right time, vote for Alex Otti and all candidates in his lineup.

“In the past, we fretted, we trembled, we were afraid and intimidated to be identified as Abians. But today, we can raise our shoulders high and say proudly, we are Abians. Continue breaking new ground in the remaining months of your first term and into your second term,” Prof Mkpa said.

A former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, and a renowned economist, banker and former Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Elder Urum Eke, said the stakeholders were mobilising their structures ahead of the general elections, adding that Abians would no longer allow mediocre to occupy positions of trust.

The convener of the Alliance for Good Governance, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe, and the meeting host, Sir Johnson Chukwu, described the Alliance for Good Governance as a structure that brings together opinion leaders and people with some level of influence to shape the direction of governance in the state, noting that Otti’s achievements have, among other things, introduced sanity into governance.

Source: punchng.com

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