By DAVID IORJA, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his total willingness to work with all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of the nation.
In his reaction to the developments Tuesday morning at the National Assembly, where no fewer than 60 federal lawmakers defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Buhari said he was also committed to the values of democracy, freedom of choice.
In a statement issued in Abuja by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), President Buhari noted that none of the defecting federal lawmakers who have now joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had any specific grievances against him or the government he leads; neither did he harbour anything against any of them.
“As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the distinguished and honourable lawmakers have issues with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies,” he said.
Noting that the APC had done its utmost to stop the defections, the President commended the leadership of the party for relentlessly working for its unity and ensuring success in the upcoming elections.
President Buhari assured members of the APC of his total support and urged party faithful not to despair but to see the defections as a seasonal occurrence that happens on election eve.
He expressed confidence that no harm or injury will be done to the party and its aspirations by the movements.
President Buhari wished all the decamped members the best in their future undertakings.