Smart Adeyemi, ex-PDP legislator, receives APC membership card

Smart Adeyemi, former chairman of the senate committee on the federal capital territory, has formally completed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by picking up the latter’s registration card.

A brief ceremony to herald his admission to the APC held at his Iyara ward, Ijumu local government area of Kogi state.

Speaking after picking up Card Number 14542741, Adeyemi said he had used the PDP platform to improve the lives of his people, and he would have no problem using the APC privilege to do the same.

He also expressed willingness to work with James Faleke, governorship running mate to the late Abubakar Audu, who would later describe him as a “senior politically”.

“I need to be in the APC so that we can jointly, with Hon Faleke and my brothers, work for the betterment of our people,” Adeyemi said.

“When I talk to the people in government about the deprivation of our area as a member of the APC, they will not see me s an enemy.”

When it was his turn to speak, Faleke described Adeyemi as “a valuable asset to the APC” together with whom he would work to improve Kogi West.

“I am very happy he is joining us,” he said.

“He is my senior politically and I have a lot of respect for him. He doesn’t need to be in politics to survive but he has he love of his people at heart.

“The job of making the society better is not the task of one man. Anyone who wants to work for his people will not say people should not join him and that is why I am very pleased with his coming.”

Lawrence Asagun, zonal chairman of the APC in Kogi west, who represented the state chairman, Adi Amatu, said with Adeyemi in APC, the party would no longer have sleepless nights winning elections.

“He was one of those that gave us tough times in winning elections here when he was in the PDP. With his coming, we will no longer have sleepless nights in winning elections in this zone,” he said.

Adeyemi announced his defection on April 18, saying his pressure from constituents left him with no other choice but to join the ruling party.

“After due consultations with both local and national leaders across my state and the nation, we have come to the realisation that we have to take a major decision for the best interest of our people,” he had said.

“In the light of the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, his strength of character and support of eminent personalities such as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the support of the leadership of the ruling party towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabrics of our nation, we have decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress.”

He said the country’s future is secure under Buhari, arguing that in less than a year in office, APC had shown that it has the capacity to lead the country to the promise land.

“When the PDP was in government, a barrel of crude oil was sold for about $100, it is not so today as a barrel of oil is just about $40. I am convinced that the Buhari-led administration will take Nigeria to a new height.