By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
As 2023 general elections approaches, defection seems to rocked Lokoja Local Government Chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC), as 500 members of the ruling Party in Lokoja local government defected to the main opposition people’s Democratic Party ( PDP).
The leader of the defectors and former Vice Chairman Lokoja Local Government council, Hon. John Elegun,
said they decided to join the main opposition party due to what he described as injustice meted on them by the APC leadership and failure to fulfill the electioneering campaign in they made since 2015.
Elegun , who was among the members of Lokoja local government Council that defected to APC ahead of 2015 elections,said they left the party to join hands with other PDP member to rescue Kogi state from what he described as hunger and under development.
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Receiving the defectors in Lokoja, the State PDP Chairman, who was represented by his deputy, Hon Sam Ranti Abenemi, assured them of fairness and equity in their new party, adding that PDP remained an indivisible and united party in the state.
He said: “Today (Monday), we received over 500 APC members from Lokoja Local Governments led by Hon John and Barr.. Labaran Dankami Sani into our great party the PDP.
“As new members, I assure you of all rights accrued to the rest of our members. We will ensure that you benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments”.
Earlier, Member representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Hon. Shaba Ibrahim, commended the defectors for taken a bold decisions and assured them of that they’ll not regret their actions as PDP wouldn’t only takeover the state, but the country.
In his own remarks , the PDP senatorial candidate for Kogi West, Hon Teejay Yusuf,while welcoming the new Members,said he’s optimistic that the PDP would come back to power from top to bottom.
He called on party members to work hard to return PDP at all levels.
“We must not be deterred by the antics of the ruling APC, there’s no more highjacking or stuffing of ballots papers .
Let us come out enmass to cast our votes for PDP to democratically chase out APC ” he said.
Prominent among those who defected includes; Hon. John Elegun,Barr. Labaran Dankami Sani former ward D APC chairman and Halima Yusuf,who introduced himself as former Ebira goodness woman leader.
The event was attended by PDP Lokoja 1 and 2 state House of Assembly candidates, Hon Bologi Yabagi, Hon. Sam Ranti Abenemi, Hon El-shatima peter Akogun , women groups and stakeholders among many.