- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
A former governorship candidate under the platform of Action Democratic Party, ADP in the 2022 guber election in Ekiti State, Engr. Kemi Elebute-Halle on Monday led hundreds of her supporters into the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
At the carnival-like event, Oyebanji assured the decampees and her supporters that their future and political careers are guaranteed in the party.
The governor gave the assurance on Monday, when Elebute- Halle and hundreds of her supporters officially dumped ADP and joined the ruling party.
Elebute- Halle was the candidate of the ADP in the June 18, 2022 governorship election won by Governor Oyebanji in the state.
Receiving the defectors, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, described APC as the most democratic party in the country in terms of better welfare packages for the masses.
Oyebanji stated that nobody will be allowed to discriminate or deprive the defectors of their fundamental rights as members under his leadership.
Oyebanji said the rank of the APC has continued to swell owing to populist governance and people- centric policies and programmes his government has initiated to bring solace to the masses, since he assumed office.
He congratulated Mrs Elebute- Halle and her teeming supporters for joining APC, saying the party is unique from others in terms of inclusivity, welfare and dividends of democracy being given to members and the citizens at large.
“Let me assure you that Governor Oyebanji and the party leaders will provide you with every opportunity to realise your ambition in APC. Our party is for all Nigerians and this is the only party that prioritises the interest of Nigerians over and above other narrow interests.
“The APC is the most democratic party in Nigeria, and which also considered women and youth as strategic partners in decision making process.
“Try and have confidence in the leaders of APC and have good rapport with all members of this great party. No one can discriminate against you, because the party is above any individual interest, so that we can work together and achieve our goals”, he assured.
Speaking about the giant strides being made by government to enliven the people’s spirits, Oyebanji said: “Within this short period, the governor has touched the six pillars of his administration. He has brought great progress and development that he promised when he took over the mantle of leadership”.
Handing over the party’s flag to the decampee, the National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, described the leader of the defectors as a heavyweight politician, who will add value to APC.
Ganduje, represented by the APC Acting Chairman in Ekiti State, Hon. Sola Elesin, assured that all the defectors will be given unrestricted opportunities to realise their ambitions in APC without hindrance.
“We have no new members in APC. We are one and equal. You are welcome to our party on behalf of our National Working Committee, led by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. APC is a party of progress and we shall go extra miles to bring people of substance like you into our fold”.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, boasted that APC will continue to dominate the polity because it is populated by progressive-minded people.
“We are ready to go to the mountain top and valleys to woo people who value progress into this party. APC stands for progress that is why we are different from others. And we don’t normally put barriers on anyone’s way to realise his ambition, our party is for all”.
Expressing delight over the electrifying reception, the highly ecstatic Elebute- Halle, said she decided to defect to APC to add value to Governor Oyebanji’s government, she described as resounding in terms of performance and delivery.
She promised to ensure peace and unity within the APC fold and work assiduously for the success of the party in all elections, by deploying her structures and networks across the State to work for the party.
Erelu Kemi-Halle said she was motivated by the good works of Governor Abidoun Abayomi Oyebanji, who continues to identify with her even the guber elections in the state.
“I feel very elated to join the folds of the progressives today. I share the same vision and mission with his Excellency and that is why when consultations were held within our fold my supporters, members of my former party ADP and even some prominent figures in the APC already welcome me into the party before this official declaration.”
Erelu Elebute-Halle maintained that her choice to serve the people of the state prompted her to come into the progressives so as to be able to serve the people better.
She specially thanked her husband, Chief Halle, the Deputy Governor Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, Honorable Taiwo Olatunbosun, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele who all thonged the pavilion to welcome her into the party.
Erelu Elebute-Halle said while she will continue to carry on her humanitarian services, she will also not relent in her efforts to further carry the banner of BAO and the APC very high everywhere she goes.
At the event, Elebute-Halle distributed food palliatives to some selected persons in solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“We are joining APC to add value to the governments of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji. I have seen the two leaders as being committed to the welfare of the masses and the development of this nation. I shall do all within my power and reach to make sure that my positive impacts are felt.
“I advise all my supporters to relate freely with APC members in all the 177 wards. We are now one and indivisible entity”.
