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President Muhammadu Buhari has officially welcomed Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state and Governor Ben Ayade into APC
The two governors who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently defected to the ruling APC
Buhari described their defection to APC as a sign that Nigerians have a firm belief in his administration
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, July 12, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost some states during the 2019 general elections to the opposition parties because the party subscribed to free, fair and credible polls.
The Nation reports that Buhari emphasised that the ruling party lost some states in the last election because of its tolerance and respect for individuals.
Legit.ng gathered that the president spoke while receiving governors Ben Ayade (Cross Rivers) and Matawalle (Zamfara) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president noted that the ruling party has respect for Nigerians, hence its subscription-free and fair polls.
APC believes in a free, fair and credible election
Daily Trust also reports that Governor Ayade and Matawalle were accompanied by Yobe governor who is APC’s caretaker committee chairman, Mai Mala Buni; Kebbi State Governor who is Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) chairman, Atiku Bagudu and Jigawa state governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar.
Buhari hands over APC flag to Matawalle, Ben Ayade in Aso Rock
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that President Buhari on Monday, July 12, handed the flags of the APC to the two governors who recently left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party.
It was reported that the governors were Cross River state, Ben Ayade, and his Zamfara state, counterpart, Bello Matawalle.
The special adviser to the president on media and publicity. Femi Adesina, made this known in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, July 12.
Obaseki says he won’t return to APC
In a related report, the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki ruled out the possibility of returning to the APC, following the gale of defection that rocked the PDP in the last few weeks.
Obaseki left the APC in 2020 after he was disqualified from seeking the party’s ticket for re-election.
The governor, however, described rumours making the rounds that he intended to return to the APC as laughable.