I joined APC to serve, not for personal interest, says Obanikoro …….Sasore, Kola Balogun, others also join ruling party

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro has said that his decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was for him to continue to serve and impact positively on Lagosians and Nigerians ultimately, rather than for selfish and personal interest.
Obanikoro stated this in his declaration speech at an event to formerly mark his defection to the APC at the Campos Square, Lagos Island, noting that having served in different capacity and achieved so much in his political career, it was time for him to return to his original base to continue to be part of the giant strides that have been achieved in Lagos State and the country.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, applauded the leadership style of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the success recorded in Lagos which has seen it being ranked as the fifth largest economy in Africa could be attributed to his visionary leadership and steadfastness.
He said the APC remains the only viable political party in the country which had no rival, adding that his decision to rejoin the APC with his associates was not a cross over, but a home coming which would afford him the chances to build the party.
He said, “Having achieved so much during my period of service, this is the time to impact on my people. I am fulfilled, I have gotten to the peak of the ladder in other wise; self actualisation. I have traversed the length and breadth of this country and I believe that Lagos stands tall amongst all other states in Nigeria.
“At this stage of my life, it is important for me to return to my original base and be part of the giant strides that have been achieved in Lagos State which would not have been possible without the wisdom and sagacity of the architect of our modern democracy my indefatigable Oga Bola Tinubu.”
“Our decision to rejoin APC is service driven, it is not out of selfish interest, look at Sasore, Kola Balogun they have everything, leadership is about delivery and we searched all we could not find, we have belief in APC vision,” Obanikoro said.
Also speaking at the event, the national leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by a chieftain of the party, Kashim Iman said Obanikoro’s decision to return to the party had made the APC complete in Lagos State, stressing that Obanikoro was only on leave, while the PDP was dead in Lagos State.
He said, “The APC is now if it was 90 percent complete before it is 100 percent now. There is no PDP in Lagos State, the PDP is dead and buried in Lagos. Obanikoro is the only man who has served in all positions, he has come back home he was on leave, this is the happiest day in the history of APC in Lagos he came back with Sasore, Kola Balogun, this is complete.”
A national vice chairman of the APC, Pius Akinyelure also praised Obanikoro for rejoining the party, noting that he has returned home and thanked other members of the party at various levels for standing with the party always.
Receiving the decamping members, Lagos State APC chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale said Obanikoro was a great politician but who left on their own volition, adding that himself who is a founding member of the party and his group were welcome back to the APC.
Among the decampees were a former Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs Dupe Sasore and a veteran politician, Kola Balogun among others.
Present at the event were Senator Ganiyu Solomon, member of the House of Representative, Hon James Faleke, several serving commissioners in Lagos State and APC chieftains in the state among several others.