Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District from 2007 to 2015, Smart Adeyemi, on Friday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeyemi represented the district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 6th and 7th Assembly.
He defected in his Abuja house, surrounded by political friends.
The journalist/politician said he defected because he was impressed by the economic policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and the support enjoyed by the administration from some prominent Nigerians, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Adeyemi said: “In the last six months, we have steadily monitored the programmes and implementation of policies of this administration of President Buhari as a people.
“We equally observe some of the programmes of many states under the APC from Imo to Kwara, Lagos to Oyo, Kaduna to Sokoto, Kano to Katsina and indeed, more than two thirds of the APC states are pursuing people-oriented programmes and policies.
“Therefore, in the light of the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, his strength of character and support of eminent personalities such as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of men, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and the support of the leadership of the ruling party towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabric of our nation, we have decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress”.
The former lawmaker also stated that Kogi West Senatorial district did not benefit from PDP government as he alleged that it was the reason it lost to APC in the last governorship election.
He buttressed this as he said: “While thanking the Peoples Democratic Party for the opportunity of granting me a ticket for my two terms in office, it is soul depressing that for the past 12 years of our support in ensuring victory of the PDP in the governorship and presidential elections, Kogi West has nothing to show towards improving the standard of living of our people by successive Kogi PDP governors.
“This neglect and poor performance of the PDP resulted into anti-party reactions, cumulating in the victory of the APC in Kogi State governorship election last year”.
He, however, called on Nigerians to support the present administration, stating that economic problems are world over.
Some of the personalities at the defection were Dr. Tom Ohikere, Kogi Central, representatives of Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Chief David Dare Olatunji, Senator Abu Ibrahim and Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi
His political associates, who welcomed him into APC, extolled his political virtues, stating that he stood out as a lawmaker.
Representative of Faleke, who decried the injustice meted out to them, called on Adeyemi to use his reach to address such injustice in the state and APC.
