We Can’t Reject Corrupt People From Joining Our Party, Says APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it cannot be a “gatekeeper” to “filter out” corrupt people defecting to the party.
The party noted that the recent wave of defections is a reflection of confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television.
Morka, who was responding to concerns over the increasing number of governors joining the APC, including the recent defection of the Kano State governor, said the party could not prevent politicians who chose to leave their parties from defecting to the ruling party
According to him, governors defecting to the ruling party were aligning themselves with what he described as a ‘resurging Nigeria’ under the Tinubu administration.
He added that the APC welcomed new members and would not act as a barrier to politicians seeking to join the party.
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“We are happy, we are excited about people who join our party. We cannot be gatekeepers to filter out people who want to join our camp. We don’t do that because it is undemocratic,” Morka said.
Addressing fears that the defections could lead to a one-party state, Morka dismissed such concerns.
“The Peoples Democratic Party at some point in our history governed Nigeria with about the same number of governors.
“I was very active in the political world at that time and there was no spectre anywhere about a one-party state because the PDP had those numbers of governors.
“That’s not the case now, and I think we should not equate people joining our party with that mode,” he said.
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He also seized the opportunity to once again dismiss speculations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is plotting to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to him, the claims about whether Shettima would remain on the party’s ticket in 2027 did not originate from the APC.
He said his comments is in line with a statement issued by the party on Monday addressing the issue.
“Our party isn’t engaging the question of tickets for 2027; we have a serving President and a serving Vice President today. We’ve yet to activate our systems in accordance with INEC guidelines and regulations to engage in that conversation.” he reiterated.
