From Abdullateef Bamgbose
Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Banigo, yesterday said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the support of Nigerians to enable him continue and complete ongoing reforms and development programmes.
Banigo, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress ,APC, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Her letter of defection was earlier read on the floor of the Senate during plenary by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, the lawmaker formally informed the Senate of her decision to leave the PDP and join the APC.
“I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues of the Senate of my decision to defect from the PDP and subsequently join the APC”, she said.
Banigo explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with her constituents, political associates and other critical stakeholders across her senatorial district.
She noted that the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes and ongoing litigations within the PDP had adversely affected cohesion within the party.
According to her, she is convinced that the APC offers a more stable and progressive platform to advance the legislative and developmental agenda of her constituency and the nation at large.
While speaking with journalists, Banigo said President Tinubu deserves the support of Nigerians so that he can continue and complete the reforms initiated by his administration.
“President Bola Tinubu deserves all our support and also to ensure that he has the opportunity to carry on and to complete some of these reforms and to take them forward”, she said.
The Senator also expressed her intention to support the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, noting her contributions toward empowering women and youths across the country.
“I want to work to support the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because I have seen the support she has given to the President over the years throughout his political journey.
“Her impact and work with women and youth across the country are commendable. She moves across the nation emboldening women, encouraging the youth and supporting initiatives that positively impact communities”, Banigo said.
She added that after considering these factors, she became convinced that joining the APC was the right decision.
Banigo also cited infrastructural development under the current administration as one of the reasons for her support for the President.
She pointed to a major project in her state which had remained uncompleted for decades but was completed during the Tinubu administration.
According to her, the Bonny Road project, which was opened during the Christmas period, has improved transportation and economic activities in the area.
“In my state there was a major legacy project that had been in the pipeline for decades and it never seemed it would be completed. But during this tenure, the President took the bull by the horn and the Bonny Road was opened since Christmas.
“I drove on that road when I went to flag off the project on Dec. 20 and it is wonderful. The Bonny people are very happy about it.
“It has made trade easier, transportation simpler and removed the fear of sea pirates, while communication has also improved greatly. This is just one of many other projects”, she said.
