Date: 2017-02-27

As the gale of defections of prominent politicians from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress continues, another firebrand and strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene who is the Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission in the State announced his defection in his country home, Shonga in Edu Local Government Area of the state, citing the development of his community and welfare of the people of Shonga as paramount reasons for his defection.

The grassroot political mobilizer noted that the defection was sequel to the call by the Emir of Shonga, Doctor Haliru Ndanusa Yahyah for a one united shonga community and the need to associate with the ruling party to attract massive development to the community.

Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene who is also the Marafa Shonga, explained that he has a key role to play as a community leader and grassroot politician towards contributing to the success of the All Progressives Congress in the state and the country at large.

According to him, serious minded people like him are needed for the community to enjoy the dividends of democracy both from the federal and state governments.

He said " my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress was in the interest of my community and the good people of shonga who believe in my leadership qualities. I decamp to associate with the ruling party to bring development to the community. I have a key role to play as one of the leaders in the community. I play grassroot politics, you can see the mammoth crowd that received and welcomed me from the neighbouring district of Shonga, especially from Faagi town. They are supporters and followers from the PDP and APC".

Speaking on the challenges confronting the All Progressives Congress led Federal government, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene described it as temporary, saying that Nigeria is not the only country currently facing recession and noted that it is a global challenge.

He explained that the situation is now improving in the country, pointing out that the All Progressives Congress had competent people that could manage and handle the situation effectively and efficiently.

Welcoming the bigwig politician and his supporters to the All Progressives Congress at his palace, the Emir of Shonga, Doctor Haliru Ndanusa Yahyah, said Alhaji Ndakene is always a member of the ruling party, and highly committed to the uplifting of his community and the welfare of the people of shonga.

Doctor Haliru Yahyah said " Marafa Shonga is always a member of APC, it is where he belongs. You can see the mammoth crowd that welcomed him, he is a seasoned politician that is loved by many. We are glad that he has returned and we want a united political force that would ensure social justice and massive development of our community".

The Emir Shonga sued for unity, oneness of the people of Shonga and collective efforts of all and sundry to ensure the growth and development of the ancient town.

Doctor Haliru Yahyah appealed to both the Federal and state governments to consider the sons and daughters of the community in the political appointments, considering their political loyalty and commitments to the success of the All Progressives Congress at the last general elections.

The traditional ruler emphasized the need to also allow the people of the community enjoy juicy political appointments both at the federal and state levels, saying that they would soon carry their protest to the appropriate quarters.

Addressing the supporters, a Community leader from Faagi and Matawali of Shonga, Alhaji Ibrahim Ilorin and a leader of APC from Ward Two, Alhaji Mohammed Saba Manuga, said they felt his vacuum created by Alhaji Ndakene when he was not with them and charged him to assume the leadership position and pilot the affairs of the party across the four wards in the area.

The bigwig Politician who decamped alongside his political heavyweight supporters in their hundreds was welcomed by mammoth crowd who are from the APC and PDP at the entrance of his hometown in Faagi town, celebrating and jubilating his defection to the ruling party.