Kwara SDP leaders defect to APC amid conditions

The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State has outlined the steps necessary to welcome back members who deserted to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the run-up to the 2015 statewide election.

But according to Infostride News, the APC has placed a stop on prosecuting former lawmaker Saheed Popoola, who also defected to the SDP from the APC.

A select committee made up of APC and SDP officials in the state met, and their final statement instructed the defectors to begin the assimilation process by re-registering as APC members at the ward level in their respective local government areas.

The leaders got together to discuss the ongoing process of reconciliation and incorporation into the party, and to formally welcome everyone involved.

Mustapha Isowo, Olabanji, Duduyemi Lawal, Toyin Ayinla, Mallam Kure, and Folaranmi Tajudeen, all members of the APC state executive, attended the meeting presided over by State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi.

Members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who have expressed an interest in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were represented by Chief Iyiola Akogun, Ganiyu Cook Olododo, Ambassador Mohammed Abioye, Engr Shaba Lafiagi, Lukman Mustapha, and Khalill Bolaji.

Hon Ganiyu Cook Olododo, speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Ilorin, verified the development, saying it is genuine and ongoing.

The APC in the state issued a statement, signed by the party’s publicity secretary Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro, welcoming the defectors to the party and instructing them to register in their respective wards.

According to the communique, State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi will instruct all Party Chairmen from the ward level up to the state level to welcome all decampees with open arms, provided they adhere fully to all APC policies and directives from the ground up.

The SDP state leaders have vowed their allegiance to the party’s current executive committee.

According to the statement, the decampees’ integration is a process that will take time, as the party chairman will need to organize meetings to bring together key players.

Both sides acknowledged that they share a common ancestor in the APC and that their current cooperation is more of a reunion than anything else.

In order to further strengthen the party, the communiqué promised to hold additional sessions to solidify the progress made during the integration process.