Tinubu Receives ex-Gov Idris Wada, Others Into APC Family Promises Equal Opportunity

From AMEDU JOSEPH, Lokoja

The All Progressives Congress APC in Kogi state on Monday received former Governor Idris Wada of the People’s Democratic Party, and others from key opposition parties into APC family.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, received the decampees on behalf of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja, on Monday

Other defectors includes, Chief Sam Abenemi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Hon. Gambo Haruna of the SDP; Hon. Maman Pele of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Hon. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Omebije of the PDP; Victor Uchola of the PDP; Rt. Hon Imam Alfa of the African Democratic Party (ADC); Hon. Idowu Ibikunle; Chief Bode Ogunmola; Hon. Sunday Daku; along with several other opposition leaders and thousands of their supporters.

Shettima while welcoming the decampees assured them of equal opportunities and participation in party affairs, and also told them to see the APC as one family where members are allowed to grow.

He charged the new party members to quickly internalise the principle behind the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which he said is all about redirecting the nation’s economy to become buoyant again and restore infrastructural facilities across the country.

The Vice President said : “It gladens my heart to see this day. I am pleased that good governance is at play in Kogi state.

“This is a new chapter in the life of APC in Kogi state and entire Nigeria.

‘I am particularly delighted to receive an elder statesman Capt Wada, we are the confluence of progressive together.

“What is happening in APC is more of a coalition of who is who in Kogi state and Nigeria.

“You have joined the family that bring peace and progress to people of Nigeria.

“And you will not regret coming into the progressive.

“I am going back to Abuja to deliver the message to Mr President, the message from the Confluence state today is that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu victory in 2027 is total.

“I want to appreciate people of Kogi state for speaking with one one voice.”

Governor Ahmed Ododo who introduced the new APC Members to the Vice President, said they were good leaders who would also contribute positively to the further growth of the party.

Governor Ododo said the formal declaration of the new party Members has shown that Kogi State belongs to the APC.

He also said President Tinubu had demonstrated his love for the development of Kogi state by the various Federal Government projects being executed in the state.

His words” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my father and Iam proud to be his son. He is a true leader who has consistently shown me how to be a good leader. He is a committed Democrat and Iam sure, Nigeria will be great again under his leadership. ”

In his acceptance remarks on behalf of all the decampees, Capt Wada, “It is my pleasure to finally join the folds of the progressive family.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of other decampees, former Governor Idris Wada said that there are so many reasons why I joined APC, one the party is a progressive one, secondly, Tinubu himself has a very good vision for the country. Mr President did right by removing oil subsidy, since then we see drop in price of food stuff daily. The naira has appreciate against the dollars, the economy generally has picked up, the president has taken the country out of distressed economy.

“The dividend of democracy by Mr President are numerous, but with these few reasons, we are taking the bold step to cross over to APC today. We have to unite with Mr President to ensure his victory in 2027.

Party leaders in attendance at the event included former Governor Yahaya Bello, all members of the kogi state House of Assembly and APC state executives, among others.

Others at the ceremony included the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; members of the APC National Working Committee; Minister for Steel Development, Prince Shaibu Abubakar; former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi; Senators and Members of the Federal and State legislature, among others.