Aviation expert and youth activist, Comrade Isaac Balami, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) and returned to his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Balami, a former National Deputy Campaign Manager for Obi/Datti in the 2023 presidential election, announced this at a media parley in Abuja on Wednesday.
Giving his reasons for dumping the LP, Balami recalled why he dumped APC ahead of the last presidential elections, stating that it was only reasonable to revisit his decisions following what he experienced in the LP compared to the Tinubu-led administration’s one year in office.
Balami stated that Tinubu has shocked him in just one year in office with regard to the Muslim-Muslim ticket which he vehemently opposed, adding that it was the major reason for his defection to the LP.
The former National President of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers said, “Tinubu has so far empowered more Christian northerners and other Muslim ethnic nationalities since Nigeria returned back to democracy. There is nothing that trips me like equity and fairness.
“No president has ever worked with the Middle Belt like President Bola Tinubu, whose administration has done well, including appointing credible Nigerians with more emphasis on equity.
“That was not what I saw when I left. I now see a better party and a better government. I can see a Nigeria that in a few years will thrive and I think it is only important for us to work with APC in its efforts to rescue this country.
“Consequently, after consulting widely with leaders across Nigeria, the Middle Belt caucus, my parents and my immediate family, it becomes expedient that I resign from the Labour Party and return to the APC. I’m happy with the level of inclusiveness under the current administration.”
The former TUC spokesman, while moving to the LP a year ago, said he was sacrificing for the good of the country and thousands of youths who believed in him.
“In order to contribute to confronting the leadership challenges we face as a country as my commitment to save our fatherland, I have decided to sacrifice my entire investment and life’s work, to join the teeming Nigerian youths and, indeed, all Nigerians yearning for good governance.
“I have sold my majority stake in my aircraft hangar as well as my airline, to join my fellow Nigerians in the Obidient Movement, just so I can more dedicatedly fight this struggle to rescue the soul of this great nation. This is my sacrifice! What is yours?,” he had said.
The former number three man of Peter Obi’s campaign organisation said he had thought that LP had all it takes to take over Nigeria and restructure it on the path of progress, but regretted that the leadership crisis in the party and had destroyed the party.
“There is every indication that Nigeria cannot be redeemed through the Labour Party. As I move with my entire structure back to my former party, I urge them to join me in working with the APC to redeem our dear country,” Balami said.
He expressed optimism Tinubu will look into the food and energy crisis in the country, urging him not to relent in ensuring that a reasonable agreement on the minimum wage is reached with the Organised Labour.
Balami thanked Obi and Sen. Datti, for giving him the opportunity to serve in their campaign team.
