Mariam Ali, wife of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, on Thursday joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mrs. Ali who was accompanied by the Delta State APC Chairman, Jones Erue; Frank Kokori; Great Ogboru, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and other top APC stalwarts and supporters, was received by the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, at the party’s national secretariat.
Odigie-Oyegun was accompanied at the colourful ceremony by the APC National Woman Leader, Ramatu Aliyu and National Auditor, George Moghalu.
At the ceremony, Mrs. Ali said: “A lot of persons may wonder why I am joining the APC. The answer is simple. I want to continue to render service to my people and Nigeria at large. I believe I will be doing myself a lot of disservice if I don’t fulfil this burning desire in me.
“I know also a lot of people will wonder why I have chosen to opt for a political party different from my husband’s. Again, the answer is not farfetched. My family is a unique family; it is a family devoid of religious and ethnic differences. You are all aware that Dr. Ahmadu Ali is a Muslim and I am passionate Catholic. Also, Dr. Ahmadu Ali is from North Central and I am from the South South.
“Therefore, religion and ethnicity do not play a role in our lives. It, therefore, suffices to say that my becoming an APC member and him being an active member of the PDP further displays the uniqueness of my family.
“We symbolise a people who want to serve a nation, a nation where oneness, love and peace reign supreme. Today marks the beginning of greater peace, love and oneness amongst all Nigerians. It is a new dawn, one nation, one destiny, one people. It is about an indivisible nation, Nigeria.”
The APC national chairman in his remarks said Mrs. Ali’s entrant to the party has added to value and quality to the Party and its leadership both in Delta State and at the national level.
He said: “It is very clear from the spread, the quality of those who are here today that this is indeed a major event. l am glad that this day has come that you are joining APC because of your determination to render service to your people and the nation, which means that you have looked around, you have looked at your environment in the PDP and you have decided consciously after deep thought that the best vehicle available today on which platform you can render that service is the APC and l want to congratulate you.
“Yes, your husband was the longest serving National chairman of the PDP…But it is my hope that what you have started would turn into a family thing. I welcome you especially because you are adding to the quality of membership in Delta State and also adding to the quality of leadership in the APC family in the whole nation. The quality would propel us not just to victory in Delta State, but also in Nigeria.”
