Even as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP,) has approached the court to sack Governor Mohammed Matwale of Zamfara State, following his recent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP, governors elected under the APC platform have vowed to continue their quest for Progressives reinforcement quest by luring more opposition governors to join the ruling party.
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja to welcome Governor Matwalle into the Progressives family, saluted him for what they described say the courageous decision of leaving the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) .
The PGF statement which was signed by the forum’s Chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State described the Zamfara governors decision as a demonstration of his principles, commitment and conviction to the development of Nigeria, adding that Governor Matawalle only returned to where he belonged.
PGF noted that “APC is indeed the party that will provide him and his people, and indeed all Nigerians the viable platform for political aspirations and negotiations.
“Together with Hon. Matawalle and all our leaders in the APC, our party’s capacity to serve the collective interests of all Nigerians through effective representation will be strengthened and reinforced. Together with all leaders and members, we welcome this eminent Nigerian to our great party.
“The decision of Hon. Matawalle to join the APC is yet again an affirmation of our party’s capacity to mobilise all patriotic citizens to join the APC, consistent with the vision of our founding fathers to ensure that the APC is a platform that unite all Nigerians. The coming of Hon. Matawalle to the APC strengthens the process of membership and leadership recruitment at all levels.
“Once again, we celebrate our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose exceptional political virtues, and fair dispositions makes our party, APC, attractive to all patriotic Nigerians. These sterling attributes of Mr. President will continue to promote our party to serve as the main source of our electoral advantage. Progressive Governors will continue to support Mr. President to build our party, APC, as a strong and democratic political party in the country.
“More than at another time, our members of the APC National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of His Excellency Mai Mala Buni have continued to raise the standards of political mobilisation in the country. At a time when politics is almost equated to warfare, they have been able to skillfully demonstrate that winning the minds of citizens is all about negotiations and winning agreements.
They have been able to win landmark agreements that brings accomplished political leaders into APC, based on which the structures of our great party are being redefined. “With these agreements, milestone achievements are being recorded almost on daily basis and experienced leaders, such as Engr. Dave Umahi, Prof. Ben Ayade, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole and now Alh. Bello Matawalle, among many others, have joined our great party.
“Our party is open to all Nigerians who are committed to the progress of our country. We, in the Forum, shall continue to mobilise and welcome all those who have a shared vision of supporting President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s agenda to consolidate the progress made and further unify our fellow patriots across the country. We urge all party leaders and members to continue mobilisation and welcome all those who join us. Our party is equitable, and its strength lies in the appreciation of all Nigerians.
“The Progressive Reinforcement of our party continues. We look forward to receiving more patriots and progressive minded Nigerians into the APC”
