Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday said residents in Lagos were unhappy because they were decieved into supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Today, I know you are not happy because you gave your life away to people who deceived you about change,” he said.

Mr Ayu spoke at the official declaration of defection for members of the ‘Lagos4Lagos Movement’, a splinter group with APC into PDP.

While welcoming the Abdul-Azeez Adediran-led aggrieved former APC members into PDP, the national chairman said “My people in Lagos, PDP loves you, I love you. Lagos for Lagos, Nigeria for Nigerians, PDP for Nigeria.

“Are you enjoying the change?” he queried. “No more slavery in Lagos. We thank you for coming over to PDP,” he added.

Also speaking at the event graced by PDP governors and other party chieftains, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia urged Mr Adediran and his followers to also see existing PDP members as part of their family.

In his remarks, Mr Adediran said that the group defected from the APC because the ruling party was not ready for contest election but delights in the imposition of candidates.

“We were in APC but they were not ready for contest. We had parallel congresses because APC was not ready for contest. Today, we have been able to move to where we can put our reliable strength to test.

“Today, we have joined a party where we are ready to submit ourselves to a very fair contest,” Mr Adediran said.

According to him, “if Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State could win election without being a former lawmaker or supported by the government at the centre, I can win the governorship election in 2023.”

(NAN)