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Lone PDP member of Lagos Assembly defects to APC, says PDP ‘lacks vision for Nigeria of tomorrow’

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After losing his reelection bid, the lone Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin Constituency I), on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Olorunrinu informed the House of his defection at the plenary through a letter titled: “Letter of Defection from PDP to APC, addressed to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

Part of the reasons he gave in the letter was that the PDP that lacks vision for Nigeria of tomorrow.

The letter read in part: “I have been a young progressive-minded person and I have decided to realign with the APC, based on moving trend and party to reckon with taking Lagos State to the next level.

“I will like to appreciate Mr. Speaker for his continuous act of service to my constituency. This explains the magnanimity of Mr. Speaker.”

READ ALSO: LAGOS: INEC declares APC winner of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency election

Olorunrinu stated that in 2015, there were eight PDP members in the House, but seven defected; adding that, “in all sincerity, I make bold to say here that I have never had any regret.”

“Sincerely, I said to myself that continuity as a young man in politics is a necessity.

“I said to myself that I must join the progressives’ party, which is the APC.

“Permit me to say this in this hallowed chamber that the PDP has been discovered by my humble self as a party that is not to be reckoned with.

“Not to be reckon with because it is a party that lacks structure, it is a party that lacks vision for Nigeria of tomorrow.

“That’s the more reason why I said to myself that we must start from here and preach the good news of APC.

“I want to say a very big thank you to Mr. Speaker for accepting me,” Olorunrinu said.

Olorunrinu, apologized for his late defection, said he has spoken with his constituents and stakeholders of different cadres on the decision to join the “moving train.”

The Speaker welcomed Olorunrinu to APC and commended him for his decision, while other APC lawmakers also received him into the party.

“I thank you for making the decision at last. We welcome you into our midst as a member of APC in the House of Assembly.

“You have always been part of us, save the fact that you refused to dump the leaking umbrella. But today, you have decided. I welcome you on behalf of our party.

“I want to thank you for lending your voice to what have been our position from quite some time that the best party in Nigeria today is APC.

“So, there is nothing to gain from PDP. For realising this, I congratulate you.

“Distinguished colleagues, we are now 40 members of APC. Thank you for joining us,” Obasa said.

After losing his re-election bid to the APC candidate, Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, in the March 9 House of Assembly election, Olorunrinu refused to challenge the result at the election tribunal.

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