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Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as one founded on democratic ideals, adding that it was the basis for the recent wave of defection by opposition party governors.
Tinubu, the national leader of APC, stated this in a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, while welcoming Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle into the party.
He said the move by Matawalle showed that he was dedicated to bringing good governance to his state.
“Along with all other APC members, I heartily welcome Matawalle into the APC.
“The move by Matawalle is the best way to ensure good governance in the state by being a member of the party that was founded on democratic ideals,” he said.
Tinubu, urged the governor to work closely with President Muhammadu Buhari to help realise his progressive mandate and tackle the security challenges.
He said APC’s doors are open to those who wanted democracy to flourish.
“The entry of Governors Matawalle, David Umahi of Ebonyi, and Ben Ayade of Cross River into the party demonstrates that the APC umbrella is succinctly broad to accommodate all those with valuable ideas and contributions to the party and our country,” he added.
Matawalle formally joined the APC from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday , after months of speculations and denial.
Other PDP governors such as David Umahi and Ben Ayade of Ebonyi and Cross River States had also recently defected to the APC.
While Umahi joined in November 2020, Ayade defected to the ruling party in May.
The PDP described the governors’ defection as an effort by APC to rig the 2023 general elections.