The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has congratulated former Bayelsa East Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, on his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Murray-Bruce made the announcement in a statement shared on his social media accounts on Wednesday, confirming his resignation from the PDP and move to the ruling APC.
In the statement, the former senator and media entrepreneur praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his “deep understanding of finance” and commitment to driving a free-market economy. He also expressed faith in the President’s ongoing economic reforms, saying they lay “the foundation for Nigeria’s future prosperity.”
Murray-Bruce further commended the administration’s security efforts, noting that the appointment of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had strengthened Nigeria’s security network. He said threats to national peace were being “quietly and systematically dismantled.”
Okay News reports that the former lawmaker’s decision has drawn mixed reactions across political circles, with some describing his defection as a strategic move that reflects the growing influence of the ruling party in the South-South region.
Reacting to the development in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Keyamo warmly welcomed Murray-Bruce to the APC, describing him as a man known for his courage and sincerity.
He wrote, “My dear elder brother @benmurraybruce, I want to specially welcome you to the progressive family. Your antecedents of forthrightness, outspokenness, and altruism make the APC a natural home for you.
“As of today, you are automatically a co-owner of the house in your state, not a back-bencher. That is the tradition in our party, and that is how warmly we welcome everyone. Take a bow for this courageous decision, my big brother!”
Murray-Bruce, who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate between 2015 and 2019, is also known as the founder of Silverbird Group, a major entertainment and media brand in Nigeria.
