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As Vice President, Yilwatda, Akpabio, Others Welcome Enugu Gov to Party
- Safiu Kehinde
Vice President Kashim Shettima has attributed the spate of mass defections by politicians from other political parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the cracks in the camp of the opposition.
Shettima made this known during his address at the grand reception of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, his cabinet, and supporters into the APC on Tuesday in Enugu.
The Vice President, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event held at the Micheal Okpara Square, noted that while these cracks are becoming visible in the walls built by the opposition, the APC is growing stronger by the bridges it has constructed.
As quoted in a statement issued by his spokesperson Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima described the Mbah’s decision and thousands of his supporters to defect to the governing party as an extraordinary endorsement of APC’s collective vision.
“Much has been said about the ongoing wave of defections to our great party. What the opposition has failed to do is look into the mirror to ask why the APC remains the preferred destination of Nigeria’s most visionary political actors.
“Their departures are not accidents; they reveal the cracks in the walls they built and the strength of the bridges we have constructed.
“The APC has, over the years, become a political home where ideas find expression, where ambitions find direction, and where patriotism finds partnership,” he was quoted to have stated.
The VP noted however that as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had often pointed out, it is not the duty of the governing party “to fix the house of the opposition.
“Our task is to offer Nigerians a level playing ground and a clear alternative built on integrity, competence, and performance.
“That we are chosen again and again as the political party of the moment and of the future is because we represent order over chaos, progress over paralysis, and hope over despair,” he added.
Shettima maintained that the APC has nutured relationships built on trust, accommodating divergent interests, and offering a platform where every Nigerian with noble intentions can find purpose.
He said Tinubu’s capacity to listen as well as his inclusive style of leadership and belief in merit has galvanized the party into the most formidable political platform in Africa.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, our leader, is a man of all seasons and all people — a man whose word is his bond.
“His sense of inclusion, his rare capacity to listen, and his belief in merit over sentiment have made the APC the most formidable political family in Africa.
“This is why every progressive mind, every reformist, and every visionary, sooner or later, finds their path leading here.
“So, to you, Your Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, and your team — welcome home. In the APC, you have found an enduring family, an ally in your journey, and a party that recognises your worth.” Shettima said.
The Vice President held that Mbah had always been a part of the APC fold even before he joined the governing party.
“Your Excellency, let me say this with warmth and humour: you have always been one of us. You are a progressive through and through. I am convinced that you had a broom hidden in your umbrella all these years, waiting for the right moment to bring it out.
“And now that you have chosen the right time to come home, we are not bitter that you are joining us today — we are overjoyed that you are here to strengthen our party and add your voice to the chorus of progress.” He said.
Shettima charged the governor to rebuild the APC in the state.
“You are not just a frontline stakeholder within the state; you are now a leading voice at the national level.
“Mr President has assured you of his full support, and I want to reaffirm that we stand ready to partner with you in deepening development and democratic dividends for the people of Enugu,” he added.
On his part, National Chairman of the APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, welcomed the governor into the governing party.
He thanked the governor for boldly taking the decision to take his people into the promised land through the APC.
“Governor Mba has revamped the education sector, he has built roads and has done a lot for his people, that is why we welcome him home. He has a progressive heart, that is why we are glad to welcome him home,” Prof Yilwatda stated.
For his part, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the governor for transforming the state within two years of his assumption of office.
Akpabio expressed his delight in having a performing governor joining the fold of the progressives.
Also, Speaker House of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, said the grand reception marked a historical day for the government and people of Enugu State.
The Speaker assured Governor Mba of equal treatment among members of the APC family, even as he said the defection of the Governor is a sure sign that the entire South East region will eventually join the progressives family.
Declaring his membership of the APC, Governor Mba described APC as the largest political party in Africa.
He said his defection into the governing party is a new beginning that marks the end of wallowing on the sidelines, adding that his defection was a collective decision of the entire political family of the state.
“We are affirming today collectively that we are going together as a zone to put an end to segmented politics.
“We are moving to take the opportunity at the national level,” he said.
Also, the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma , said the forum is excited to welcome Governor Mba into its fold.
He expressed belief that the coming of Enugu State into the APC family would further strengthen support for President Tinubu in the South East region as well as the region’s position in national politics.