The Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content and lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Teslim Folarin has reiterated his absolute commitment to help expanding the membership base of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, saying that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is in vegetative state, awaiting burial announcement and funeral ceremony.
Senator Folarin, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, YSO Olaniyi, reacted to insinuation of his possible defection to his former party, PDP.
A chieftain of PDP and former deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi in an interview with Ajibola Akinyefa TV said that former members of PDP like former Governor Alao Akala and Senator Teslim Folarin will return back to PDP.
However, the three-term senator stated categorically in the statement that PDP belongs to his past, therefore he has no reason to rejoin his former party.
“There is no denying the fact that I started my partisan politics in PDP but joined a progressive family in 2017. I am proud to be a member of APC and I’ll passionately strive to unite the party”.
“I am bona-fide member and senator of APC. There is nothing PDP will offer me that I cannot achieve in APC by the Grace of God and the supports of the genuine and progressive-minded members of our great party. And to PDP, you will not only remain the main opposition party at the federal level but also handover to APC in Oyo State come 2023”.
“To dream or insinuate that I’ll dump APC for PDP that is in vegetative state is laughable. The continuous exodus of PDP governors, senators, house of reps members, state honourables and other gladiators into the progressive family shows that PDP is under intensive care unit, awaiting to be certified dead ahead of funeral ceremony in May 2023”.
“Only a dying politician will consider joining or staying in PDP. I am a living politician and will remain in APC. I strongly advise all frustrated members from other political parties to join us (APC) before it is too late. The Progressive Door is open to all intending members. I must add that in a few weeks to come, we will welcome key leaders in Oyo PDP into APC”.
“I enjoin fellow progressives not to be misinformed and misled by the antics of PDP and some divisive elements in the APC. I am happy in APC; defecting to PDP because of future ambition is not an option whatsoever. I am not an ingrate. I am not a dishonourable man. God is my witness that APC is my house, nobody can force me out”.
He emphasised that the mission of the Oyo APC is to reclaim Agodi Gate House in 2023, therefore unnecessary and avoidable intra-party crises before, during and after the party congresses must be avoided in the spirit of oneness and progress.
