A former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, on Saturday in Lagos finally dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obanikoro’s defection at his Lagos Island constituency ended months of speculations about the status of his political allegiance.
There were earlier reports that he had settled his differences with the national leader of APC, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a step to joining the ruling party.
Though Obanikoro acknowledged reconciliation with Tinubu, he had neither denied nor confirmed plans to join his political mentor in APC.
He, however, finally gave the hint of his defection during a television interview on Thursday.
NAN reports that Obanikoro defected to the APC along with other PDP bigwigs in the state, including a former aide of former president Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Modupe Sasore.
Others are a national officer of the PDP, Mr Jide Damazio, and another PDP chieftain, Chief Kola Balogun.
They were received by chieftains of APC, including the state chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale; Alhaji Kashim Imam, Chief James Odunbaku, as well as the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, who represented Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.
Past and serving members of the National Assembly including Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Rep. Jide Jimoh were among APC bigwigs present.
Presenting the APC flag to Obanikoro and others, Ajomale said the coming of the former minister and others meant the opposition was totally dead in the state.
He described Obanikoro as politically experienced and sagacious, and said his joining the party would no doubt add to the electoral fortune of the party in the state.
“We are happy to receive Obanikoro back in our fold. He was with us when we started the Alliance for Democracy (AD) but he decided to go the other way.
“Thank God he has realised his mistake and he is back. We are indeed happy to get back this big fish, along with others.
“Obanikoro is an asset and he will no doubt add value to our party,’’ he said.
Obanikoro, in his speech, said he was happy to return to the fold of his age-long political associates after his long sojourn in the PDP.
He said he defected because he couldn’t find fulfillment in the PDP and he joined the ruling party because he had a mission to render service on its platform.
