By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Ahead of Federal Capital Territory Area Area Councils election slated for February 2022, over 4, 000 party faithful have dumped opposition parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwali Area Council of the territory.
Receiving the decampees to the APC fold, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, assured them of justice and fairness amongst members of the ruling party, while calling on others who are yet to join to do so.
The minister who described the event as ‘harvest’ of over 4,000 members, expressed delight that most of the returnees are former leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in the Federal Capital Territory
Aliyu, also charged them to use their political weight to ensure victory for the party come 2022 and beyond also appealled to both old and new members of APC to work together in peace and be law abiding.
She said, “we are here today to receive over 4,000 of our brothers and sisters who have decided on their own to join the ruling APC. They came from various political parties especially the major opposition parties, the PDP and APGA. We appreciate them.”
“They have keyed into the agenda of the second term of the incumbent chairman, the second term of credible governance, the second term of competent leadership, the second term of solid management of our common patrimony in Kwali area council”.
APC chairman in FCT, Hon. Abdulmalik Usman, who described the defection said that some of the decampees are founding members of the All Progressives Congress before they left.
Usman said, “Today we are here to make another history, the history of receiving our brothers, some of whom we started this party together. You are welcome back home.”
He expressed confidence that come February 12, 2022, the APC will win the entire six area councils and the 62 wards in the nation’s capital.
Responding on behalf of other decampees, Hon Usman Jiya, former APGA aspirant, assured party faithful that their return to APC was to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the incumbent chairman of Kwali area council, assuring that all members of their dedication and team spirit in the forthcoming area councils poll.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of symbolic broom to the leaders of the decampees by the FCT Minister of State and the party chairman. Other decampees include Hon Salihu Kolo, former state PDP Deputy Chairman, Hon Usman Jiya, former APGA Aspirant, Hon Habila Bwaba, former PDP state vice chairman, Hon Maimunat S Adamu amongst others.
