Former President of the Senate and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has welcomed a group within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Lagos4Lagos Movement, into the PDP.
Saraki stormed the headquarters of the Movement on Saturday, a few hours after arriving from a trip abroad on Friday.
At the welcome ceremony of the group into the PDP at its headquarters on Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, Saraki told the members it was time to rewrite the story of the state.
Saraki, who was at the ceremony with several chieftains of the PDP and his aides, told the members of the group that their defection from the APC was a statement that it will no longer be business as usual in Lagos State.
He said: “I purposely arrived the country yesterday night (Friday) to attend this meeting.
“Most of my aides too flew in from Abuja this morning, which led credence to the importance of this event.
“This Lagos is for all of us.
“I’m happy to say I have been associated with this group for the past one year.
“When I first met Jandor who told me his ambition, I told him power is not served a la carte.
“I have been watching this group keenly since.
“I’m happy that most people in Lagos know about Lagos4Lagos Movement.
“What you are doing is a new chapter for future generations.
“You will get to the Promise Land.
“Today I see love.
“I’m more convinced that victory is around the corner.
“Today, PDP has conducted the best convention in the country till date.
“PDP is committed to rescuing Nigeria.
“The journey has started.
“If we must win power in Lagos, we must open our door.
“If we organise ourselves and walk together, there is no stopping us.
“I commended Lagos PDP leaders, from Bode George to others for their efforts in rebuilding PDP.
“Come May 2023, I will be with you for the swearing in as the governor of Lagos State.
“This struggle is not for Lagos alone, but for Nigeria in general.
“Today, I have only one message to PDP Chairman in Abuja: that Lagos4Lagos is ready to move to PDP.
“No nation can be strong without women involvement.
“I’m happy you have women in large numbers in your group.”
Saraki, who arrived at the Lagos4Lagos Movement headquarters about 12:30pm, came with the former representative of Kwara South Senatorial District, Dr. Rafiu Ibrahim; Senator Ahmed Ogembe from Kogi State; Senator Duro Faseyi from Ekiti State; Rep. Oluwole Oke from Osun State; and Rita Orji from Lagos State.
The Lead Visioner of the Movement, Dr. Olajide Adediran, thanked Saraki for coming and bringing good tidings to members of the movement.
Adediran said: “I’m so happy to have you.
“We look at you as our forebearer for what you did in the run up to your emerging as Senate President.
“No more baba so pe.
“If the level playing ground is not available in APC, we are ready to move to PDP.
“That’s why we are moving out with our large members because we have the numerical strength to deliver Lagos.
“Currently we are in APC, we participated in Congresses, did parallel, set up reconciliation committee, nothing happened.
“We realised that without taking the executive power from them (APC), we can’t change Lagos.
“That’s why we have resolved to apply Saraki and Obaseki’s style to get the power from them.
“We know time is far running.
“We need to do the needful and we have numerical strength so we are ready to join your structure, which is very key.
“Be rest assured that we are good for governorship.
“Our concern is that we want to believe the party (PDP) is ready to win and give us the ticket.”
Adediran announced that the official declaration will take place on December 18, 2021.
The group members, consisting of leaders from ward level to state executives, subsequently, through a voice vote, unanimously approved crossing into the PDP formally.
https://youtu.be/ZDrBGtXqm0k