Buhari mocks decamped APC members

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has mocked the decamped members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying they decided to leave the party because they have issues with their home states, especially on zoning which barred some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies.



Fifteen members of the APC decamped to the PDP at the Senate while another 37 members decamped to the PDP and ADC at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

In his reaction to the developments on Tuesday morning at the National Assembly, the President noted that none of the defecting federal lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had any specific grievances against him or the government he leads; neither did he harbour anything against any of them.

“As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the distinguished and honourable lawmakers have issues with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies,” he said.

Buhari expressed his total commitment to the values of democracy, freedom of choice as well as total willingness to work with all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of the nation.

The president, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the APC had done its utmost to stop the defections.

The President commended the leadership of the party for relentlessly working for its unity and ensuring success in the upcoming elections.

Buhari assured members of the APC of his total support and urged party faithful not to despair but to see the defections as a seasonal occurrence that happens on election eve.

He expressed confidence that no harm or injury will be done to the party and its aspirations by the movements.

The president said he wished all the decamped members the best in their future undertakings.