Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun, says he joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) because the party “offers too many options”.
Daniel spoke on Monday when he was received alongside Oladimeji Bankole, former speaker of the house of representatives, by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa.
Bankole and Daniel recently defected to the ruling party.
The former governor noted the need to give support to “whoever is in power” in order for the country to surmount challenges facing it.
“Why APC? There are too many options at the party. One thing is sure that we are going through health and economic challenges, we must do less of political contestations and give support,” he said.
“One thing that is for sure, is that the entire world is going through challenges that are global challenges, economic challenges, health challenges. And when you are in a situation like this, as I usually opined, we should do less of partisan contestation, all of us must come together to support whoever is in power.
“And what we have decided to do is to come and give our support to the president so that jointly, we can continuously navigate the country, that is what is relevant.”
Commenting on speculations that the APC was trying to create a one-party state by fishing for members of other political parties, Daniel pointed out that the PDP was once in the same position in the country when it was at the helms of affairs.
“Definitely any political environment, whether it is multi-party or two-party, there will usually be a majority party and the minority party,” he said.
“So I don’t think that there’s anything new that has happened. A few years ago, when PDP was at the helm of affairs at the centre, I think the last count out of the 36 states, PDP was in charge in more than 24 states at that time. And the country did not become a one-party state.
“So I think what is going on is quite healthy. The contestation is quite exciting. I think what’s important is that parties should look inwards and organise themselves very well so that at any point in time, the people have an opportunity to make an informed choice.
“And that I think is what is going on.”
