Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday urged its members to remain calm in the face of the mass defection of its members in the National Assembly to opposition political parties even as it insisted that it respects the rights of anyone to change parties.
Fifteen senators and 37 members of the House of Representatives defected on Tuesday with majority of them joining the opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“APC notes the development in the National Assembly with the defection of some of our members from the party,” Bolaji Abdullahi, the APC spokesperson, said in a statement, which was made available to TheNiche.
“APC remains in firm control of 25 states of the 36 states of the federation and maintains a clear majority in the federal House of Representatives and state assemblies.
“It would appear however that the individuals involved have different considerations beyond the grievances that they were willing to discuss and which our leaders were willing to address,” Mr Abdullahi said.
The party, therefore, urged its members to remain calm, saying it would continue to prepare the party towards 2019.
“As a truly democratic party, we respect the right of every citizen to political association. Therefore, we urge our members to remain calm as we continue to work hard to position our party strongly for the next general elections.
“We assure members and supporters that our great party will continue to consolidate on our majority status in the leadup to the 2019 General Elections, even as our government continues to work hard to deliver on our promises to Nigerians.”
Below is the full statement:
PRESS STATEMENT
July 24, 2018
APC Statement on National Assembly Defections
The All Progressives Congress (APC) notes the development in the National Assembly with the defection of some of our members from the Party.
In the last couple of weeks our Party leaders have worked to stave off this situation as responsible Party leaders would do. It would appear however that the individuals involved have different considerations beyond the grievances that they were willing to discuss and which our leaders were willing to address.
As a truly democratic party, we respect the right of every citizen to political association. Therefore, we urge our members to remain calm as we continue to work hard to position our party strongly for the next general elections. APC remains in firm control of 25 states of the 36 states of the federation and maintains a clear majority in the federal House of Representatives and state assemblies.
We assure members and supporters that our great Party will continue to consolidate on our majority status in the leadup to the 2019 General Elections, even as our government continue to work hard to deliver on our promises to Nigerians.
SIGNED:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
