I stand firmly with APC, Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman, Sowunmi insists

I stand firmly with APC, Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman, Sowunmi insists

Following the defection of his son to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the Chairman of Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Sunday Sowunmi has said that he would never be part of PDP, saying he stands firmly with the ruling party.

He insisted he is not in support of his son’s defection to the PDP.

The Tracker reports that the Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Agriculture, Hon. Olarenwaju Ebenezer, popularly known as LASEM who is also the son of the APC Senatorial Chairman resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC on Monday, joining his sister, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo in PDP.

Sowunmi while speaking to newsmen at a press conference held at his residence in Abeokuta, the state capital, said that the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP who is his elder brother’s daughter never discussed with him on her nomination as the running mate of Hon. Ladi Adebutu.

He submitted that his son is on his own, saying that he is old enough and free to join any political parties of his choice.

Sowunmi revealed that the PDP deputy governorship candidate and her father never discussed with him on his nomination.

He said “Yes, one of my biological sons made his own decision. My ward chairman came to my house this morning to show me his APC registration documents after he withdrew from his former political affiliation. That is his personal decision, and it does not constitute any barrier or change in my own political position.

In that respect, I want to make it clear that the governor did not appoint me during his first term in office. However, in his second term, he gave me an appointment in his administration, and I appreciated that gesture”.

According to him, “As an adult, my son has the right to make his own political decisions, and I cannot dictate to him what to do. However, I want everyone to know that he does not have my support in that decision. I made it clear to him that if he chooses to join the PDP, he would be on his own. I told him plainly that I am not with him in that decision, and I will never be with the PDP”.

“My position remains unchanged. I stand firmly with the APC, and no one can dictate otherwise or suggest that I have abandoned my political convictions.”

“I want to be sincere with everyone. The endorsement or nomination of the deputy governorship candidate was never discussed with me. As I speak to you now, neither she nor her father has ever mentioned anything about it to me. Her father is my elder brother, we are very close and yet he never discussed it with me.

“The lady herself visited me about two weeks ago after the festive period to pay visit to me as she normally do. She sat with me, but she did not mention anything about her endorsement or nomination by the PDP. Therefore, I can state categorically that I had nothing to do with it. Perhaps people assume otherwise because her father is my brother, but that is only their own interpretation”.

He added “As a politician, everyone knows my position in the APC. Throughout my political career, I have never officially belonged to an opposing party. Since the inception of the PDP, I have never been a member of that party.

“At this stage of my political journey, considering my standing in the APC and the cordial relationship I enjoy with the Executive Governor of the state, Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun, i have no reason to leave. I must commend Mr. Governor because he has treated me very well in this administration” he concluded

Meanwhile, the party chairman of APC in Abeokuta South Local Government, Hon. Henry Fagbenro also disclosed that he is not aware of the decision of Hon. Lanre Sowunmi to join PDP, saying that he never consulted anyone.

He said that he took the decision on his own, saying that his father is a respected politician with integrity who will not be part of the decision of his son.

“I was neither informed nor consulted, he took the decision on his own, his father is a a respected politician, disciplined and consistent. It is just unfortunate that someone like him can join the Peoples Democratic Party so in Abeokuta South, we are strongly in support of APC, the governorship candidate and deputy governorship candidate” he concluded

On defection of APC members to PDP, he noted ” we are going to verify and find out those who have also left the party but we want to assure you that Abeokuta South is fully in support of APC”.