close
Friday, September 17, 2021

Fani-Kayode meets Buhari at State House, dumps PDP for APC

Femi Fani-Kayode has finally joined the ruling APC, after months of speculation and denial.

• September 16, 2021
Buhari and Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister, has joined the ruling APC, ending months of speculation around his rapport with the ruling party.

Mr Fani-Kayode dumped the PDP shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, during which both posed for a photograph that has now circulated online.

The former aviation minister was presented to Mr Buhari by the party’s caretaker chairman and Yobe governor, Mai Mala Buni.

Mr Fani-Kayode said he played a vital role in the defection of three PDP governors from the opposition party to APC.

The former minister alleged that he was divinely directed to dump the main opposition party for APC to help foster national unity.

Mr Kayode invited other PDP governors to join the ruling party.

In June, Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle became the third governor from the PDP to cross over to the APC within the last two years.

In May, Cross River Governor Ben Ayade left the PDP to join APC, saying his decision was base on the interest of his people. He was elected senator under the PDP and won two terms as governor as a member of the same party.

Weeks ahead of Mr Ayade’s decision, another long-time PDP member Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi left the party for the ruling APC, alleging maltreatment of the South-East region and an unwillingness to hand the presidency ticket to the zone.

The Gazette in February reported Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello said Mr Fani-Kayode was on his way to the APC, a statement the politician dismissed as mere political discussion at the time.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abdukrasheed Bawa

Anti-Corruption

I can’t expose Boko Haram financiers: Bawa

The anti-graft agency boss said issue of terrorism financing is of national security concern that cannot be divulged in public.

Politics

Lagos APC to adopt consensus candidates for October congress

The APC Lagos chairman, Babatunde Balogun, also assured members of the party’s readiness to ensure a hitch-free exercise on October 2.

Sport

Europa League: Osimhen’s brace save Napoli from losing to Leicester

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen denied Leicester the perfect start in the Europa League as Napoli hit back from 2-0 down to snatch a point.

Politics

Ex-APC senator Shehu Sani joins PDP

Mr Sani’s move to PDP follows the ongoing wave of realignment by politicians in readiness for the 2023 general elections.

Sarki Auwalu

Abuja

DPR seals off gas plants, filling stations in Abuja

The LPG operators were said to be operating illegally, while the two petrol stations were sealed for operating without license.

Stock Market

Economy

NGX back in red, investors lose N30 billion

Specifically, the All-Share Index dipped 57.03 points or 0.15 per cent to close at 38,911.31 from 38,968.34 recorded on Wednesday.