Fani-Kayode Personally Requested To Join APC – Yahaya Bello
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has confirmed the defection of former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking after revalidating his APC membership in Okene on Tuesday, Bello revealed that no one prevailed over the former aviation minister to join the APC.
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The governor said Fani-Kayode approached him with a request to join the APC, and that “by the mandate given to me by the party, I must not segregate or discriminate against any individual.”
THE WHISTLER recalls that recent photos of Fani-Kayode’s meeting with the National Caretaker Chairman of the APC, Mai Mala Buni and Governor Bello had gone viral on social media.
The photos had sparked speculations as to whether or not the avid critic of President Muhammadu Buhari had cross-carpeted to the ruling party.
But confirming the move, Governor Bello said: “Our brother and friend, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has joined our party in good faith. He is joining our party to come and add his own positive energy and make contribution into ensuring that APC is a party to beat.
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“Remember that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode was a foundation member of this great party. Due to misunderstanding, he decided to port elsewhere…now he has decided to join our party, approached me, and by the mandate given to me by the party, I must not segregate or discriminate against any individual.
Bellow said even though Fani-Kayode had, “a different opinion about the party (APC) and the government before,” he has now, “seen the light, the reality and the need to join the All Progressives Congress.”
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Speaking earlier in a series of tweet, the former minister and PDP chieftain said his meeting with Buni and Bello was to discuss pressing national issues and party politics, amongst other things.
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Fani-Kayode said, “Despite the obvious benefits and wisdom in this noble initiative, it amazes me that some people should feel that it is wrong for me to sit with other leaders in the country to discuss issues which touch and concern the national cohesion, future and stability of our country.
“This is a time in which we must set all our differences aside, build bridges and come together as one lest our country drifts into fratricidal butchery and civil war.
“It is right and proper for us to talk and to attempt to join hands across political, religious and regional lines to save Nigeria,” he said, reiterating his commitment to saving Nigeria.
“The fact that I am in talks with leaders from a cross-section of political parties, including the ruling party, does not in any way derogate from this and does not mean that I will ever change those views,” he said.
