SDP Leaders Rejoin APC Amidst Conditions

The Kwara State All Progressives Congress, has itemised the process for the return of former members of the party who defected to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, before the last general elections in the state.

However, the case of a former lawmaker, Saheed Popoola, who also defected to the SDP from the APC has been put on hold for certain reasons yet to be determined by the APC.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting of a select committee comprising APC and SDP leaders in the state directed the defectors to start the process of their absorption by re-registering into the APC at their ward levels in their various local government areas.

The meeting of the leadership was called to formally welcome and discuss the gradual process of reconciliation and integration into the party.

The meeting chaired by the State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi had in attendance Mustapha Isowo, Olabanji, Duduyemi Lawal, Toyin Ayinla, Mallam Kure, Folaranmi Tajudeen, all representatives of the APC state executive.

Representatives of the SDP members that desire to decamp to the APC included Chief Iyiola Akogun, Ganiyu Cook Olododo, Ambassador Mohammed Abioye, Engr Shaba Lafiagi, Lukman Mustapha, and Khalill Bolaji.

Speaking in Ilorin on Tuesday, Hon Ganiyu Cook Olododo confirmed the development, saying it is a true and ongoing process.

The communique, signed by Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro, Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, said they welcomed the decampees into the party but directed that registration must be at their respective wards.

The communique further stated that the state APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi is to appropriately instruct all the Chairmen of the party at the Local Government and wards levels to receive all decampees warmly, subject to their full compliance with the existing policies and directives of the APC from the ward to the national level.

The leaders of SDP pledged their support and loyalty to the executives of the party as presently constituted in the state.

The communique explained that the Integration of the decampees remains a gradual and ongoing process, as meetings shall be convened by the party chairman to bring critical stakeholders together to further cement relationships.

Both parties recognized that they are of the same extraction of APC originally and coming together now is more of a reunion than anything else.

The communique asserted that further meetings shall be held to consolidate the gains of the integration process to further strengthen the party.

(Daily Post)