Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has welcomed a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former two-term senator, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC on Friday. Adeyemi said he has decided to defect in the interest of his people and the nation. He also hailed the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, Bello welcomed the former Adeyemi to the party, urging him to work with party leaders in the state to bring real change to the people.
The governor said the PDP has been losing important leaders to the APC since 2014, urging others who are still in the former ruling party but want the progress of the state to jump ship to the APC in order to move the state forward.
Bello hailed Adeyemi as an experienced politician, who will bring his wealth of experience to bear, insisting that the APC remains one big family in the state.
The Governor said he will continue to deliver democracy dividends to Kogi people to give his party a good platform to continue to dominate the political landscape of the Confluence State.
He affirmed that the defection of political figures to the party across the state testifies to the renewed confidence of the people in the APC-led government in the state.
Announcing his defection at his Abuja residence last week, Adeyemi said he took the decision because Kogi West Senatorial District, which he represented in the Senate, was neglected by the successive PDP administrations in the state.
According to him, his decision to defect to APC was that of the people of Kogi West, adding that he had no choice than to bow to the pressure of his people to dump PDP.
Adeyemi contested the March 28 2015 senatorial election against incumbent senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, of the APC.
He challenged Melaye’s victory at the polls but his petition was dismissed by both the Kogi Election Petition Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
Melaye in a series of tweets dismissed Adeyemi’s defection, saying he does not have the blessing of the local people in Kogi State.
Smart Adeyemi joined APC spiritually but yet to join physically. State Chairman,LG Chairman and ward chairman yet to see or get notification
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 9, 2016
No national,state,LG or ward party exco present in the Abuja home made defection. Where is your membership card?
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 9, 2016
If all politics are local why Abuja? We are ready for politics of inclusion but when Smart Adeyemi is ready,he should come home.
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 9, 2016
After 8years of representing Kogi West in NASS. Don’t be afraid of your own people. Boda Smart you hear?
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 9, 2016
Smart Adeyemi: what you have lost by the round about,you can’t get by the swing. Leave Abuja and come home.
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 9, 2016
@ Kogi West: Burger no be monkey food.
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 9, 2016
