The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that new members of the party that meet the right criteria would be allowed to contest in 2019.
Recall that a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani on Sunday, in Enugu State, resigned membership of his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC.
Similarly, Senator Joel Ikenya, the immediate past minister of Labour and Productivity, announced his defection from the PDP to the APC.
Reacting, APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, assured that the party would accommodate the defectors.
“We are happy that people across the political spectrum are buying into the philosophy of progressive politics,” Leadership quoted him as saying.
“We are aware of some concerns that may arise as a result of this, but we will look into all of them to ensure that all issues are effectively managed.”
Also, deputy national chairman (South), Engr Segun Oni, said the defections into APC will not cause any problems.
“It is our responsibility as a party to ensure that we check for what caused the ‘sunset’, as it were, for the PDP.
“When we were with the party then, most of us were of the opinion that every product has a life cycle and when it reaches a peak, if not properly managed, it can only come down therefrom.
“But as a party, we will take the right lessons and ensure that the issues that the PDP encountered are not replicated in this case”.
On aspirations of the defectors ahead of the 2019 election, Oni said: “In the first case, every member is a member. If you meet the criteria as a bona fide member, you can aspire.
“That is why we have to have the right management culture to be able to screen and field the right persons for the job.”
