The All Progressives Congress in Lagos has slammed the Lagos4Lagos movement over its defection to the Peoples Democratic Party.

“We meet at the polls and I can assure you that the party will not feel the departure of a group that has a reputation of rabble-rousing having emerged from nowhere in recent times,” the state publicity secretary of APC, Seye Oladejo, said in a statement.

Members of the movement, which was formed under the Lagos chapter of the APC, had defected to the PDP on Saturday after a voice vote session at the Liberty Place, Lagos4Lagos, Headquarters, Adeniji Jones, Ikeja.

In his address, the founder, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, said the development meant an end to godfatherism in Nigeria’s commercial hub. 

“If the level playing ground is not available in APC we are ready to move to PDP. That’s why we are moving out with our large members because we have the numerical strength to deliver Lagos,” Jandor who has had his eyes on being the number one citizen of Lagos said.

“We realized that without taking the executive power from APC, we can’t change Lagos. That’s why we have resolved to apply Saraki and Obaseki’s style to get the power from them,” he added.

But the APC while subtly congratulating the group, said it found a home in a “homeless” party, Vanguard reported.

“We want to congratulate him (Jandor) and his group for finally finding a home in a homeless party. He has finally confirmed our position that he was acting a script by playing the opposition within the ruling party,” the APC said.

The ruling party further assured that it will retain power in 2023, just as it maintained that the new development will not be a distraction to its goals. 

“Our party will definitely not be distracted as we continue to support our government to finish strongly,” the party added.

Meanwhile, former Senate President and PDP chieftain, Bukola Saraki, while welcoming the group, described the development as a move to freedom.

Speaking on his association with the group in the past year, Mr Saraki said he was optimistic about victory in the 2023 elections.

“Today I see love, I’m more convinced that victory is around the corner. Today, PDP has conducted the best convention in the country till dare. PDP is committed to rescuing Nigeria, the journey has started.

“If we must win power in Lagos, we must open our door. If we organise ourselves and walk together there is no stopping us,” the party chieftain said.

“This struggle is not for Lagos alone, but for Nigeria in general,” Mr Saraki added.