2019: We won’t bar defectors from contesting – APC

The political spectrum has once again become heated following the recent defections into the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) with many expressing divergent views over the former Senate President Ken Nnamani and other notable politicians joining the APC.

The APC, however, says it is capable of effectively managing the influx of politicians from other parties into its fold and that it would not stand in the way of the new defectors contesting for elective positions on its platform.

Senator Nnamani, who is the chairman of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee, on Sunday, in Enugu State, resigned membership of his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC, saying his action was in response to the demands of his constituents.

Also, Senator Joel Ikenya, the immediate past minister of labour and productivity, yesterday announced his defection from the PDP to the APC.

Ikenya, who hails from Taraba State and served in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said his reason for defection was informed by the numerous achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

He urged Nigerians, especially those from the North-East, to key into the policies and programmes of the president for the socio-economic development of the country.

In his response, the national publicity secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed the development and said the party would accommodate the defectors.

He said: “We are happy that people across the political spectrum are buying into the philosophy of progressive politics. We are aware of some concerns that may arise as a result of this, but we will look into all of them to ensure that all issues are effectively managed.”

The deputy national chairman (South), Engr Segun Oni, concurred with Abdullahi that the influx would not upset the party.

“It (defections into APC) will not cause any problems at all. It is our responsibility as a party to ensure that we check for what caused the ‘sunset’, as it were, for the PDP.

“When we were with the party then, most of us were of the opinion that every product has a life cycle and when it reaches a peak, if not properly managed, it can only come down therefrom. But as a party, we will take the right lessons and ensure that the issues that the PDP encountered are not replicated in this case,” Oni said.

On the fate of the defectors concerning their aspirations as they join the party, he said that the party’s constitution had already covered the issue.

“In the first case, every member is a member. If you meet the criteria as a bona fide member, you can aspire. That is why we have to have the right management culture to be able to screen and field the right persons for the job.”

However, Nnamani’s defection has received condemnation from the executive director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, who said it was regrettable that politicians only seek selfish aims in their political choices.

He said, “I am not surprised that Nigerian politicians jump from one party to the other; they don’t do politics on the basis of providing a platform for the exchange of ideas that will transform a country, but a politics of always wanting to seek political relevance and political appointment. It is not about principle or ideology that will help bring about the desired change; it is rather a self-centred interest in order to be politically relevant.”

Senators Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Yele Omogunwa (Ondo) and Nelson Effiong (Akwa Ibom) had earlier defected from the PDP to the APC, also citing division in the opposition party.

(Today)