The Forum of Governors in Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, APC has commended the Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Ben Ayade for his courage to leave the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and join the APC.
The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, PGF and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who made the commendation in a press release said the decision of Governor Ayade to join APC is an indication of the party’s capacity to mobilise and unite Nigerians.
“The decision of Mr. Ayade to join the APC is a testament of our party’s capacity to mobilise all Nigerians consistent with the vision of the founding fathers to ensure that the APC is a platform to unite all Nigerians. The coming of Mr. Ayade into the APC further reinforces the process of membership and leadership recruitment at all levels.
“Given all his achievements in Cross River State, Mr. Ayade is only coming home where he belongs. APC is indeed the party that will provide him and his people, and indeed all Nigerians the viable platform for political aspirations and negotiations. Together with Mr. Ayade and all our leaders in the APC, our party’s capacity to serve the collective interests of all Nigerians through effective representation will be strengthened and reinforced” he said.
According to Governor Bagudu, APC belongs to all Nigerians and will continue to ensure fair contestation in politics.
he said, “APC belongs to all Nigerians. Everyone, from every part of the country is free to aspire for any position in the party in line with provisions of our party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The guiding philosophy as enshrined in the provisions of our manifesto is economic, social and political development of Nigeria”.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s sterling qualities have endeared patriotic Nigerians to the APC.
The PGF Chairman also commended the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for its effort in building the party and restoring its credibility.
“Also, we salute our members of the APC National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of HE Mai Mala Buni for this milestone achievement of once again getting another experienced leader in the person of His Excellency Ben Ayade to join the APC.
“Our National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee has worked hard to restore the political credentials of the APC as a strong institution for Nigeria’s democratic development. We will continue to support the National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee in all its current initiatives to rebuild our great party. With the coming of Mr. Ayade, the capacity of our party to mobilise all patriots and other like-minded progressive Nigerians to join the APC is stronger.
“The Progressive Reinforcement of our party continues. We look forward to receiving more patriots and progressive minded Nigerians into the APC,” Governor Bagudu said.
Confidence Okwuchi
