Following the visit of the President and Peoples Democratic Party national leaders to Kwara State for Jonathan’s re-election campaign, no fewer than 5000 PDP members in Asa and Ilorin West Local Government Areas have dumped PDP for APC.
The strong waves of defection began from Asa Local Government on Monday when President Jonathan visited Kwara; in Aboto, Ballah and Onire communities of Asa Local Government, no fewer than 3000 people defected from the ruling PDP to the APC.
Announcing their defection, the decampees decried the height of impunity in the PDP-led government, stating that the party has succeeded in making corruption and injustice its core tenets in running the affairs of Nigeria.
Speaking in Onire, Tunde Kehinde of Alapa Ode Giwa ward who spoke on behalf the decampees attributed their defection to the injustice and lack of internal democracy in PDP. He described the PDP as a flawed and stage-managed party to favour anointed candidates through the presidency.
“Our defection today is born out the injustice in PDP; we were committed to a party that has offered us nothing but imposition of candidates through presidential connects. Today, we are joining the All Progressive Congress because we have seen the party exercise true democracy, transparency and commitment needed to change Nigeria for the better” he said.
Similarly, not fewer than 2000 PDP members in Wara Osin/Egbejila, Badari, Ubandwaki, Baboko and Ajikobi wards of Ilorin West Local Government have dumped the party for the All Progressive Congress. The decampees also lamented the lack of internal democracy and visionary leaders in PDP, stating that the interests of PDP leaders in the state have overtaken the interest of the people.
Speaking with newsmen in Wara Osin during the defection to APC, Hajia Aminat Abdullahi said the leaders of the party have no plans for them as members. “Our party leaders are selfish and uninterested in the progress of the people; all they do is use us for their purposes and dump afterwards” she lamented.
Receiving the decampees, the Chairman of the Kwara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Balogun Fulani described the move as a thoughtful and timely decision every Nigerian should make. He reinstated APC’s commitment to fairness, justice and equity in Kwara and Nigeria at large.
Further speaking, Fulani charged the decampees on collection of their permanent voter’s card and active participation in the forthcoming elections. “Even as I welcome you all to the best party in Nigeria; I urge you all to go and collect your PVCs if you haven’t. More also, you should all turn out on Election Day, vote for APC and defend your votes for change in Nigeria” he said.
