Big blow to PDP: Ali Modu Sheriff group fuses with APC
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he however gave the defectors the partys constitution to study and for them to be abreast with it1 thirty-four state chairmen of the ali modu sheriff-led faction of the peoples democratic party pdp on thursday formally defected to the all progressives congress apc in what political pundits termed a big blow to the uche secondus led pdp1 among the former pdp big guns that joined the apc were sen. hope uzodinma sen. gbemisola saraki and sen. teslim folarin1 the defectors were led to the apc national secretariat abuja by dr cairo ojougboh where they were received by the national chairman of apc chief john odigie-oyegun1 ojougboh who was the deputy national chairman of the sheriff faction of the pdp said the decision of the defectors to join the apc had been on for seven months1 odigie-oyegun who received the defectors in company of governors of kaduna kano and kogi states and the secretary to the federal government sgf boss mustapha described the development as the first in the history of the party1 this is the first time this magnitude of event is happening since the amalgamation of the party and since the apc came into being1 it is the first time we are receiving a total party with all the structures all over the nation fusing into the apc1 we have three of our governors from three of our most potent states and the sgf to be here and to receive you all because seeing is believing he said1 odigie-oyegun added that the movement of the defectors to the apc gave lie to the fact that pdp was a vigorous and leading party adding that people did not join a losing party1 he advised the defectors to ensure that they formally register as members of the party at the ward level assuring that they would be accorded same privileges like old members1 fortunately you are men and women of quality attainment and achievement and so it will be easy for you to fit into your proper place and role in apc odigie-oyegun said1 and the ceremony was held at the apc national secretariat in abuja contrary to the statement by the publicity secretary that they should join the party in their wards1 sen. uzodinma who spoke on behalf of the defectors thanked the apc leadership for accepting them into the party1 the senator represents imo west in the senate1 we have seen the goings on in our country1 we think that as a country it would take the very good sense of judgment and the participation of all of us to solve the problems of our people and develop our country1 we are here officially to let everyone know that we are now collapsing into apc1 we ask for only one thing the enabling environment and equal participation which you had graciously approved uzodinma said1 he added that the coming of the defectors was deliberate saying that it was to become part of the population of the apc and part of governance of the country1 he also said that their entrance into apc would change the narrative for the better and in the interest of their people1 gov. umar ganduje of kano state who also spoke at the occasion said the defection was historic because the most accepted faction of the pdp joined apc1 it is our luck that we are taking the better part of pdp he said adding with the new entrance apc was sure of victory in 2019 general elections1 he assured that being politicians of repute the new members were in a familiar terrain1