APC primaries: Kogi Senatorial aspirant denies dumping party

A Kogi West Senatorial aspirant, Dr Williams Toyin Akanle has denied reports that he has dumped the All Progressives Congress for another party following the outcome of the recently concluded APC primary elections in the State.

Akanle said he remains a bona fide member of APC and does not have any intention to abandon the party even as the 2019 general election approaches.

He made this clarification in a statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

He attributed the rumour to his political detractors who he said were threatened by his rising political profile.

According to the APC stalwart, those behind the propaganda have at various times, through the use of social media and other platforms declared that he had decamped, first to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), then to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and lately to the Accord Party.

He insisted that after contributing tremendously to the growth and development of the party he would not abandon the party especially at this stage of its evolution.

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The APC chieftain, however, admitted that he had issues with the party “arising from the sham of a purported party primary of 3rd October 2018 in which I contested for the Kogi West Senatorial seat”, he emphasized that he preferred to go through the internal crisis resolution mechanisms, a process he said he has already began.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby state emphatically that I still remain a bonafide member of the APC. Let me also state categorically that I do not plan to abandon the party, after contributing immensely to its growth and development.

“Not at this critical stage of the party’s political evolution and preparation for the 2019 general elections. Notwithstanding the fact that I have issues with the party arising from the sham of a purported party primary of 3rd October 2018 in which I contested for the Kogi West Senatorial seat.

The statement further stated: “As a loyal party member, I have complied with the party’s internal mechanism for seeking redress by forwarding a petition to the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the National Appeal Committee headed by Professor Oserheimen Osunbor.

“My purported defection from the APC is nothing but the mere wishful thinking of my political detractors who will not stop at anything to achieve their inglorious political goals.

“I, therefore, call on all my ever loyal supporters and well-meaning members of our great party at all levels, to ignore such misinformation and whatever it is intended to achieve. There is no iota of truth in all this and should, therefore, be outrightly disregarded.”