Defection of Atiku not end of APC, says party chieftain

The recent decamping of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the All Progressives Congress (APC), would not lead to the death of the party or affect its chances of winning the 2019 general elections.

This was the view of a chieftain of the APC in Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon Olusunkanmi Oluwole Adefioye in an interview with The Daily Times,

noting that though the former Vice President had the right to defect to any political party to actualise his political interest, the APC was well grounded all round the country to collapse because of any individual.

Adefioye who is the Leader of Mosan-Okunola LCDA, legislative arm, added that defection was part of politics in the country, adding that while Atiku was leaving the APC, several other people were equally joining the party.

He said the APC was the only truly democratic party in the country, which was why it has said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot have automatic ticket for his re -election toward the 2019 presidential election.

He stressed that the administration was making significant progress in the anti graft war, which had assumed an alarming proportion before the advent of this administration and urged Nigerians to support him.

He said, “In a democracy there is freedom for anybody to join association, I want to believe Atiku is exercising his political freedom, but I don’t see how it would affect APC.

The APC is grounded in all the local giver government in Nigeria, the exit of one man will not affect us, because as he is leaving someone else is joining the party.

“I don’t see how his defection would affect us in 2019 election, APC is a big party and as you can see this administration is making progress in the anti graft war, the level at which corruption was being perpetuated this country would have collapsed if not checked,” Adefioye said.

On his experience of 100 days in office and achievement of the council, he said the current administration under the leadership of Mrs Olabisi Adebajo is passionate about ending poverty, unemployment among the youths and women

which informed the recent empowerment and skills acquisition programme for people of the council, adding that a collapse bridge which had been abandoned for years was recently renovated and commissioned by Adebajo.

“The chairman is doing well, she recently commissioned a bridge which had been abandoned for long and it has opened up that community in terms of movement and trade. And some people were empowered recently and given cash to start up with.” he added.

Iniobong Iwok