Supporters of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso were in celebration mood in Kano as they burnt brooms jubilating over his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The two time governor of Kano State yesterday had met with President Muhammadu Buhari
The meeting was believed to be part of efforts aimed at ensuring that some aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress do not defect from the party.
Some senators were said to have attended the meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja alongside Kwankwaso.
The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, also attended the meeting with the President. But Senator Kwankwaso is said to be among the senators that defected from the APC before the plenary of the whole – the Senate President announced his defection on the floor of the Senate.
The actions by lawmakers followed the siege laid on the residence of the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday wished all the lawmakers, who defected from the All Progressives Congress to other parties, in “best in their future undertakings.”
On his Twitter handle, President Buhari reacted to the defections that were the order of the day at the National Assembly.
In his tweets, the president said; “I wish all of our party members who today defected, the very best in their future undertakings. The APC has done its best to stop the defections, and I must commend the party leadership for working tirelessly to unite the party and position it for future victory.”
Other tweets read: “I am confident that no harm or injury will be done by these defections, to the APC and its aspirations. I urge party faithful to not despair, but to instead see this as something that happens in seasons like this, on the eve of elections.
As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the Distinguished and Honourable lawmakers have issues in/with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies.
Let me also note that none of the defecting federal lawmakers has any specific grievances against me or the government I lead; neither do I harbour any ill-feeling towards any of them. I fully respect their freedom to choose what party to associate with.
I am using this opportunity to restate my total commitment to the values of democracy, as well as my total willingness to work with ALL members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
