Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the recent wave of defections by opposition lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) reflects a growing sense of patriotism and trust in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Akpabio made this known on Wednesday night after leading Senator Agom Jarigbe of Cross River North and Senator Kaila Samaila of Bauchi North to meet with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Both lawmakers recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling APC.
Speaking to State House correspondents, the Senate President said the decision of the two lawmakers to align with the APC was influenced by the President’s economic reforms and developmental policies.
“They (Jarigbe and Samaila) are Mr President’s children, and they are his supporters. The president is the father of the nation and the father of all political parties,” Akpabio said.
He added that the lawmakers were initially elected under different political parties but decided to join forces with the APC due to the administration’s transformative economic policies and improved revenue generation strategies.
According to Akpabio, their defection demonstrates a commitment to national development and not just political convenience.
“Theirs is nothing but patriotism. They are not interested in which political party is in power, but they are interested in who can run Nigeria, who can improve Nigeria, and who can put food on the tables of Nigerians,” he stated.
Senator Jarigbe also explained that his defection was based on conviction, stressing that President Tinubu’s performance so far has been impressive.
“I joined the APC because the president is really doing well, and I want to come in and support him in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” Jarigbe said.
Okay News reports that the recent defections are part of a growing realignment among opposition lawmakers, many of whom have praised Tinubu’s administration for its economic direction and governance style.
