Former Lagos commissioner defects from PDP to APC, commends Buhari

macfranc007 September 01, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 David Oladele

- Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos state on the platform of PDP has defected to the the APC

- He explained that his defection was influenced by infrastructural development, transparency in governance and accountability of President Buhari and Governor Ambode

- He maintained that he has found it difficult to see anyone with equal standing in integrity, honesty and probity with the president

Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left the party for All Progressives Congress (APC).

Olawale-Cole said his decision was informed by what he described as impressive performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, September 1 in Abuja, he said that he had formally joined APC and registered at ward `A’ Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos state.

He explained further that his defection was influenced by “infrastructural development, transparency in governance and accountability of Buhari and Ambode.’’

According to him, “I have examined the way the country is going; and from my findings it appears to me that supporting Buhari is the best choice we have at the moment.

“After being a member of PDP for years and running for the governorship ticket of the party in 2007 in Lagos state, it was evident that the APC is different.

“From what the president is doing in the fight against corruption and the issue of transparency in governance via Treasury Single a Account and others, he must be encouraged by men of goodwill.

“I have been in government before as a commissioner for cinance and later for works and transport, Lagos state, we can see what the APC is doing differently, this government has a chance in the area of probity and transparency.’’

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He, however, noted that “there are still some shady deals among government officials but once the leadership is upright, the followers will do same.’’

Olawale-Cole said that the decision to pitch his tent with the APC took him two years, observing that the decision was taken after critical analyses of the situation of things in politics.

He added: “I find it difficult to find anyone with equal standing in integrity, honesty and probity with Buhari. Of course, there are inadequacies, but with time, the president and his vice president Yemi Osinbajo will give us a better tomorrow and protecting our common wealth.’’

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the fold of the APC in Lagos further swelled as many members said to be about 5,000, of the PDP defected to the party.

The new entrants joined the APC at an elaborate ceremony at the ACME Road secretariat of the party.

The new defectors, who are members of the United Niger Delta group were led into their new party by Gabriel Ese, the group’s leader.

They were received by the state chairman of the party, Tunde Balogun, along with some other party officials.

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