2023: Saraki, PDP Welcome APC Lagos4Lagos Members
- We‘ll deliver Lagos – Jandor boasts
- There’ll be no distractions – APC Scribe
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Former Senate President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Senator Olusola Saraki, says the country’s main opposition party is ready to take over Lagos State with the Lagos4Lagos movement, a group within All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos chapter, joining its fold.
Speaking at the Liberty Place, Lagos4Lagos Headquarters in Adeniji Jones, Ikeja, Saraki, who was accompanied by former Kwara South Senator, Dr Rafiu Ibrahim, Senator Ahmed Ogembe from Kogi, Senator Duro Faseyi from Ekiti, Oluwole Oke from Osun, Rita Orji from Lagos, said; “It’s time to move into freedom.”
According to him; “I purposely arrived in the country yesterday night (Friday) to attend this meeting. Most of my aides too flew in from Abuja this morning which lend credence to the importance of this event.
“This Lagos is for all of us. I’m happy to say I have been associated with this group for the past year. When I first met Jandor who told me his ambition, I told him that power is not served à la carte. I have been watching this group keenly since. I’m happy that most people in Lagos know about the Lagos4Lagos movement.
“What you are doing is a new chapter for future generations, you will get to the Promise Land. Today I see love, I’m more convinced that victory is around the corner. Today, PDP has conducted the best convention in the country to date. PDP is committed to rescuing Nigeria, the journey has started.”
Nigeria’s former number three man further said; “If we must win power in Lagos, we must open our door. If we organise ourselves and walk together there is no stopping us. I commended Lagos PDP leaders, from Bode George to others for their efforts in rebuilding PDP.
“Come May 2023, I will be with you for the swearing-in as the governor of Lagos State. This struggle is not for Lagos alone, but for Nigeria in general. Today, I have only one message to PDP Chairman in Abuja that Lagos for Lagos is ready to move to PDP.”
“No nation can be strong without women’s involvement. I’m happy you have women in large numbers in your group.”
At the session, members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement defected en-masse to PDP after a voice vote and were welcomed to the fold by Senator Saraki and his entourage that also included Chief Osaro, the Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Tunde Ashaolu, and head of ABS Media Team Office, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu.
Saraki, a two-term governor of Kwara State had received a rousing ovation from members of the group led by Lead Visioner of the Movement, Dr. Olajide Adediran.
Speaking at the occasion, Adediran thanked Saraki for coming and bringing good tidings to members of the Movement, saying; “I’m so happy to have you. We look at you as our fore-bearer for what you did in the run-up to your emergence as Senate President. No more baba so pe.
“If the level playing ground is not available in APC we are ready to move to PDP. That’s why we are moving out with our large members because we have the numerical strength to deliver Lagos.
“Currently we are in APC, we participated in Congresses, did parallel. Set up reconciliation committee, nothing happened. We realized that without taking the executive power from the APC, we can’t change Lagos. That’s why we have resolved to apply Saraki and Obaseki’s style to get the power from them.”
“We know time is far running. We need to do the needful and we have numerical strength so we are ready to join your structure which is very key. Be rest assured that we are good for the governorship. Our concern is that we want to believe the party PDP, is ready to win and give us the ticket.”
Adediran said the official declaration will take on Saturday, December 18, 2021, even as the group members, comprising leaders from ward level to the state executives, unanimously, through a voice vote, endorsed their formal crossing over to PDP.
APC reacts
In his reaction, the Publicity Secretary of APC Lagos chapter, Seye Oladejo, described the development as “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
In a statement released yesterday, Oladejo said; “We want to congratulate him (Jandor) and his group for finally finding a home in a homeless party. He has finally confirmed our position that he was acting a script by playing the opposition within the ruling party.
“I guess the transfer season towards the 2023 elections has commenced in earnest. We meet at the polls and I can assure you that the party will not feel the departure of a group that has a reputation of rabble-rousing having emerged from nowhere in recent times.
“Our party will definitely not be distracted as we continue to support our government to finish strongly.”
