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Defections: No Going Back to APC, Reps Declare

Published

7 years ago

July 28, 2018

Eric

Members of the House of Representatives, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday, have described as laughable the dream of the APC that they will make a U-turn and return into its fold.

They said God had already forbidden that such a thing should happen.

The members noted that the decision to dump the ruling party didn’t come easy but it came anyway, after they had weighed all other options and concluded that defection was the best.

Their reactions came on the heels of fresh reconciliation moves by the APC and alleged offer of return tickets to the members to contest the 2019 polls.

Thirty-seven lawmakers had on Tuesday defected from the APC. Thirty-two of the lawmakers defected to the PDP, while four members moved to the African Democratic Congress.

One member has yet to name his new party.

The Coordinator of the 32 defectors, Mr. Razak Atunwa, reacted angrily to the thought of returning to the APC.

Atunwa, who is the chairman, House Committee on Justice, said the APC had “limited understanding” of governance, a reason the party reduced the defection to just return ticket.

He said, “Ticket or no ticket, this is a decision that we have taken and we know this is the best.

“We are talking about fundamental national issues, lack of good governance and generally, a government that has failed to deliver on its promises to the Nigerian people.

“When you reduce it to ticket, you make this whole fight look unserious or merely which party has majority or not majority. We are talking about a government that has failed.”

Several other defectors shared Atunwa’s views.

One of them, Mr. Bode Ayorinde, told Saturday PUNCH that God would not allow the members to return to their “vomit.”

He stated that there was no way the APC would attract anyone, considering the alleged injustice being perpetrated in the party.

“God forbids bad thing; that I should return to APC. What for?” Ayorinde added.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party says the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency has become a citadel of liars where deceptive lies are churned out daily to beguile Nigerians.

The party was reacting to a presidency statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, claiming that members of the National Assembly who defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress had agreed to work for Buhari in the 2019 election.

Dispelling the submission as a hallucination of a failing government, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the Buhari presidency had become so jittery over its alleged imminent loss of the 2019 election.

He said this was why it had allegedly made recourse to what he called bare-faced lies and childish blackmail.

He, however, said such would not save the disintegrating APC from drowning.

Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, maintained that those who deserted the alleged sinking ship of the APC did so in protest against the incompetence of President Buhari leading to the unabating killings, bloodletting and biting economic hardship across our nation in the last three years.

The Punch

Featured

Lagos Hotelier Slumps, Dies During Wife’s 60th Birthday Thanksgiving

Published

5 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Eric

A prominent Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, tragically passed away on Saturday after collapsing during a church thanksgiving service held in honour of his wife’s 60th birthday.

The incident occurred at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters, Egbeda, Lagos State, leaving family, friends, and well-wishers in deep shock.

In a now-viral video shared on Facebook by Ayoade Ojeniyi on Sunday, the late businessman appeared visibly distressed, gesturing frantically—apparently requesting water or an inhaler—moments before slumping while delivering his testimony.

The thanksgiving service had been organised to celebrate his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele, with a grand reception scheduled to follow immediately after at Noble Castle Events Centre, Igando.

However, those plans were abruptly halted when news broke that Akinyele had collapsed in church. Despite frantic efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

One of the event vendors, who shared their experience via Facebook, said they had arrived at the reception venue as early as 10 am for the party, which was set to commence by 2pm.

The vendor wrote: “The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had all gone to church for the thanksgiving, intending to proceed to the reception afterwards. Varieties of foods were ready, decoration set, cocktails, emu oguro, and more. The live band had already mounted about 25 speakers. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job.”

Featured

Easter: Glo Urges Christians to Embrace Christ-like Virtues

Published

1 day ago

April 20, 2025

Eric

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has charged Christians to embrace the virtues that Christ preached as the 2025 Easter celebrations hold this weekend.

While congratulating Christians in Nigeria in a goodwill message released from its Lagos Head Office on Thursday, Globacom admonished them to imbibe the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.

According to Glo, “Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”

Globacom charged all Nigerians to espouse the lessons of selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society and called on all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.

The company praised their perseverance through the 40-day Lenten period which comes before Easter as it emphasized the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.

Easter comes yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.

The company assured its customers of unhindered voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.

Featured

Gospel Singer, Big Bolaji, Dies at 50

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2025

Eric

The family of Bolaji Olarewaju, popularly known as Big Bolaji has confirmed the passing of the singer following a brief illness.

According to a statement signed by the Family on Saturday, Bolaji died on Easter Saturday.

The statement said, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bolaji Olarewaju, affectionately known as “Big B,” a cherished father, husband, brother, and an esteemed figure in both the church community, an ordained Pastor in the RCCG and a giant in the music industry and our community. Bolaji left us on Easter Saturday, 19th April 2025, after a brief illness.

“His departure leaves a void in our hearts that can not be filled.

“Bolaji’s life was a testament to his passion for music, his unwavering faith, and his dedication to uplifting those around him. His legacy is not only in the melodies he created but in the lives he touched and the unquantifiable joy he spread.

“We take solace in knowing that his absence with us is his presence with the Lord, and the indelible mark he left on all who had the privilege of knowing him will not be erased.

“As we navigate through this time of loss, we kindly request privacy to mourn as a family. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received and ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.

“Details regarding the obsequies will be shared in due course as we come together to celebrate Bolaji’s remarkable life and legacy.

“Thank you for respecting our wishes during this incredibly difficult time. With gratitude, The Family of Bolaji Olarewaju.”