Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed readiness to welcome more than 10,000 members of various political parties, including African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) set to join the ruling party under the auspices of the Maji Johnson Bello (MJB) Movement.
National Chairman of APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, said the development followed a courtesy visit by the executive members of the MJB Movement to the National Secretariat of the APC in Abuja on Tuesday where they met with the leadership of the party ahead of the planned formal defection ceremony.
He stressed that the visit was part of ongoing consultations and preparations for the official decamping of thousands of members of the Movement from different political platforms into the APC, with the leadership of the Movement reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the ruling party through massive grassroots mobilisation.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of Yilwatda, his Personal Private Secretary, Comrade Jibrin Bancir, described the decision of the MJB Movement and its members to join APC as a significant development and an indication of growing confidence in the party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Bancir stressed that APC was particularly encouraged by the organisational capacity, grassroots reach and political network which the Movement was bringing into the party.
He added that the ruling party remained open to Nigerians, who were genuinely committed to the progress, stability and development of the country.
Yilwatda assured the incoming members that the party would put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure their seamless integration into the various structures of the APC.
He stated, “The new members would not merely be welcomed into the party but would be encouraged to actively participate in its activities and structures at the grassroots.
“We are delighted by the huge capacity that the MJB Movement is bringing to the table. The APC is ready to receive and integrate all of you into the structures of the party.
“We will work out the necessary procedures to ensure that everybody has a place to operate and contribute meaningfully at the local level.”
The chairman emphasised the importance of grassroots participation in Nigerian politics, noting that the APC would ensure that the incoming members were properly registered and integrated beginning from the ward level.
Yilwatda added, “Politics is local. We will ensure that everybody knows you in your local government as bona fide members of the APC.
“We want you to become part and parcel of the party at the ward, local government, state and national levels. Your contribution will be valued, and your political capacity will be put to good use.”
He urged the leadership of MJB Movement to continue with its mobilisation efforts while assuring them that the APC leadership would provide the necessary institutional support for a smooth transition and integration of the decampees.
Earlier in his address, Chairman of MJB Movement said the decision to join APC was informed by its conviction that the reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu represented the most realistic pathway towards addressing the economic challenges facing Nigeria.
Bello stated that members of the movement had carefully considered the direction of the country and concluded that President Tinubu’s reform agenda deserved the support of Nigerians, who genuinely desired a stronger, more productive and prosperous nation.