By correspondent in Lagos.
From L-R Chairman Amowo-Odofin, Mr Valentine Buraimoh, Chief Oghene Egoh, and the Chairman LCDA, Oriade, Mrs Ramotalai Akinola during the evolution movement of 2,000 PDP memebrs to APC in Amowo-Odofin on Thursday in Lagos.
A former member of the House of Representatives and PDP stalwart, Mr. Oghene Egoh, on Thursday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Egoh, who represented the Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency in Lagos State for two terms, defected with thousands of his supporters.
Speaking at a ceremony to receive him into the APC in Amuwo-Odofin, Egoh said that the leadership crisis in PDP, as well as the good performance of President Bola Tinubu, motivated him to join the ruling party.
According to him, several reforms and iconic projects being carried out by Tinubu and the outstanding performance of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos inspire him and his followers.
“The first motivation I had to join the APC was because of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
“I have examined his policies and realized they are capable of turning this nation around. The President came in at a time when the nation was at a financial crossroad.
“Tinubu is taking bold steps and making bold decisions.
“We are moving en masse to support the President and the state government in the good works they have been doing, and not to contest for any position.
“We moved nearly 2,000 PDP members to APC today. This will give the party more victory in future elections.
“Again, I am not here to contest elections, but to support the government of Sanwo-Olu and the President because they are doing marvelously well. They are implementing numerous iconic projects everywhere,” Egoh said.
The former lawmaker criticized PDP, stating that the party is in disarray and facing numerous intractable problems.
“Where is PDP right now? There is so much quarrel in PDP at the national level that the party cannot take any decision. The party cannot move forward.
“In Lagos State, it is worse. The party is not stable. A party that is quarreling internally daily certainly cannot win elections.
“When you see a party that is declining and decaying, you should know. We should not wait until it totally collapses before we make a move. There is no hope for PDP at the moment.
Commending the President for ensuring the financial independence of local governments, Egoh advised them not to take the opportunity for granted.
Egoh also urged Nigerians to be patient with the President as things would soon improve.
“I appeal to all those calling for demonstrations and strikes to please desist, as there can be no progress in the midst of anarchy,” he added.
Receiving the defectors, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, commended Egoh and his followers for joining the APC family.
Ojelabi assured that APC would accommodate the defectors and give them equal treatment with existing members.
“We are going to improve the lives of people in Amuwo-Odofin through infrastructure development and more opportunities for a better life in Amuwo-Odofin.
“I want to see that by 2027, the people of Amuwo-Odofin present their candidate for the governorship election.
“I am directing the two local governments in Amuwo-Odofin to register all the new members and invite them to all APC activities across the country,” he said.
Also speaking, APC chieftain and former Minister of Defence (State), Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, commended Egoh, assuring him and his supporters of unlimited support from APC under the leadership of Ojelabi.
A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Dipo Olorunrinu, said that anyone who wanted progress for the country should join APC.
Mr. Braimoh Valentine, the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, assured the defectors that APC remained their home and that the party would not discriminate against them.
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These adjustments aim to improve readability, clarity, and correct grammatical errors found in the original text.
