Senator Adeyemi, Supporters Defect to APC; Says Buhari Means Well  for Nigeria

By Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja

Senator Smart Adeyemi, the senator who represented the Kogi West Senatorial District in the 6th and 7th Senate, and his supporters, yesterday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists in Abuja in company of Senators Abu Ibrahim (Katsina State) and Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ondo State), among others, Adeyemi said his decision was predicated on the ‘’best interest’’ of his people — after due consultation with his local and national leaders.

He also said that his decision to join the APC with his followers was to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to develop every part of the country, especially his Kogi West constituency, urging his supporters to move enmasse to his new party, with immediate effect.

While thanking the PDP for the opportunity given him to serve two terms in the Senate, he said it was ‘’soul depressing’’ that for the past 12 years of his support — in ensuring victory for the PDP in both the governorship and the presidential election, Kogi West had nothing to show towards improving the standard of living of his people by the successive Kogi PDP governors.

He added, ‘’This neglect and poor performance of the PDP resulted into the anti-party reactions, cumulating in the victory of the APC in Kogi State governorship election in 2015.

‘’The situation in Kogi West, apart from the state capital Lokoja, is very saddening to the extent that if those who died in the last 40 years have the opportunity to resurrect, they will easily locate their houses and farms, because nothing has actually changed.’’

Commending the ‘’sincerity and commitment’’ of Buhari, his strength of character and support of people like Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other APC leaders towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabric of the nation, Senator Adeyemi said, ‘’We have decided to defect to the All Progressive Congress, today, being 8th day of April by the grace of Almighty God.’’

He added, ‘’We are mindful of the harsh economic situation in the country today due to global economic recession and poor planning in the past. However, this administration must be supported to succeed because of the determination and sincerity to balance the books and balance the economy.

‘’My conscience bears witness that I am convinced that this administration means well for Nigerians, is honest and focused towards building a viable economy. For us to fully recover economically, we must stop the importation of food that we can grow at home.’’

The former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) said he strongly believed that the future of the nation was brighter under Buhari-led administration.