• Urge patience as Tinubu's policies yield dividends
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Erelu Kemi Elebute Halle, former gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti State, in a significant political shift has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside over 120,000 supporters from across the country.
The defection, which includes notable figures from various political parties, was announced during a press conference at the APC national headquarters in Abuja, solidifying Halle's commitment to President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" agenda.
Halle, who previously ran as the only female candidate in the 2022 Ekiti gubernatorial election, brought with her a large contingent of supporters from the six geopolitical zones. Of the over 120,000 supporters, more than 70,000 are from the northern part of Nigeria, with an additional 50,000 from the southern regions. These numbers reflect her broad influence, which stretches beyond her native Ekiti State.
“We came into the party because we believe in the progressive policies of Mr. President and his commitment to Nigeria’s future,” Halle stated, emphasizing her belief in the current administration's agenda despite widespread public concerns. She acknowledged that while many Nigerians are voicing frustrations about current government policies, she remains optimistic, insisting that the reforms require time to yield results.
In response to why she chose to join the APC at this moment, Halle explained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has achieved unprecedented milestones, such as reinvesting looted funds into the country, launching student loan programs, and initiating education grants. "There is no gain without pain," she said, referencing the hardships many Nigerians are enduring, but emphasizing that these efforts are part of the journey toward a better future.
She also drew a metaphor comparing Nigeria’s development to pregnancy and childbirth: "You cannot be pregnant in a day and give birth the same day... it is going to be a metamorphosis."
Halle’s defection was not a regional affair. According to her, the move involved stakeholders from all over Nigeria, necessitating her declaration in Abuja to give it a national character. "Before coming here, I informed my governor in Ekiti that my Northern fathers and supporters cannot decamp with me at the state level alone. We needed to come to the national level to make this move significant."
Halle has also been involved in philanthropy and grassroots development through her organization, Dominion Worldwide. "Many people in my state know me more as a philanthropist than a politician," she said, underlining her commitment to supporting her community even beyond political engagements.
Halle’s political career extends beyond her gubernatorial bid. After contesting the Ekiti governorship race, she was appointed as the first female presidential campaign Director General (DG), working with her former party, the Action Democratic Party (ADP). Her role also included serving as the ADP’s Deputy National Chairman (South), which facilitated her collaboration with key figures across multiple political parties, including the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During her defection, Halle noted that the APC's leadership, including its national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, welcomed her and assured that her supporters would be fully integrated into the party structure. She expressed confidence that her defection would strengthen the party’s base across the nation.
Halle’s decision to join the APC aligns with her belief in the transformative potential of President Tinubu’s "Renewed Hope" agenda. While she acknowledged the challenges facing the country, she encouraged Nigerians to trust the process, expressing her commitment to being a "progressive partner" in achieving the administration’s goals.
"We believe that the policies of this government will work eventually," Halle affirmed. "That is why we are here, to join hands and build the Nigeria we all desire."
Her defection marks a major boost for the APC, as it continues to consolidate its position as the ruling party, with influential political figures like Halle bringing in widespread grassroots support.