Why I defected to the APC, by ex-PDP lawmaker Oghene

By Oyebola Owolabi

A former lawmaker in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who represented Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Oghene Egoh, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Egoh left the PDP with majority of the executive members in Amuwo Odofin, as well as his supporters.

The former lawmaker cited President Bola Tinubu’s proactive policies and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s penchant for delivering good governance as his reasons for joining the APC.

He said: “My first motivation for joining APC is the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. My defection is happening now at this difficult time when most people believe the president is not doing well. But I have examined his policies and can confidently say they are good enough to turn the fortunes of Nigeria around for the better.

“Yes we are in difficult times, but I tell you Mr. President came in at a time the country was at a financial crossroad. The previous government mismanaged fund, growth was retarded but President Tinubu came and he is taking some bold decisions which might seem unpalatable now, but will definitely prosper Nigeria and Nigerians later.

“Some of his bold moves include revisiting the Oronsaye report, ensuring local government areas get their deserved autonomy by getting their allocations directly, providing over a trillion naira to source food for the nation, and also reducing import duties to the barest minimum.

“These bold moves show that the President cares, listens and understands that the people are suffering, and is working to ameliorate. If not for his fiscal policies, the country would have crashed. The president’s economic policies are such that I know will grow the economy, and the best is to join and strengthen him.

“Coming back to Lagos, the speaking projects of the Sanwo-Olu administration are enough to silence critics. The Blue and Red Rail Line projects would revolutionise transportation in Lagos. It is already revolutionising the way transport is done in other states and in Nigeria. Both of them have endeared me to the party.”

Egoh noted that his decision to leave PDP was informed by the quarrelsome nature of leaders who refuse to listen to voice of reasoning.

“Where is the PDP right now, so much quarrelling at the national level that the party cannot take any decision; such a party cannot move anyone anywhere. A party that is quarrelling with itself daily certainly cannot win elections.

“We did a lot to salvage the situation but it didn’t go anywhere. So many people have tried. And when you see a party that is dying and decaying, you should know. You should not wait until it totally crumbles before leaving.”

State Chairman of the APC Cornelius Ojelabi, who welcome Egoh and his team to the party, expressed confidence that things will get better in Amuwo, ‘especially now that Oghene has joined the winning party’. He urged the people to keep supporting the APC because Amuwo will experience rapid development.

Ojelabi said: “Politics is a business and we invest votes. Your vote is your own investment so spend it wisely. I can assure you that we will engage Amuwo on development, but you must vote wisely so you can enjoy the dividends.

“With the crowd I see here, and their abilities, things will definitely get better. Though it will take time because positive change is a gradual process, but continue to support President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu because it is certain President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda will manifest.”

A former lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dipo Olorunrinu, described Oghene’s defection as ‘a blessing to the APC’.

“It gladdens my heart that Hon. Oghene has finally joined the APC. We were together in the PDP before I left in 2019. It is a great thing to see that Oghene, a very excellent politician, is not in the APC.

“It is something that is positively revolutionary, and I must applaud this step,” he noted.

The PDP spokesperson in Amuwo, Babatunde Anjous, who also joined the APC, said they are ready to give APC victory in Amuwo.

“I decided to jettison my position in the PDP and join APC because of the prospect I have seen in the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President and Governor Sanwo-Olu.

“That is why I am taking that strong decision today and I have no regret about it. We have been making it happen for PDP in Amuwo-Odofin, now we will make it happen for the APC,” he said.

 

 

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