I’m not APC member, says Lanlehin

The lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Olufemi Lanlehin, has denied being a member of the All Progressives Congress.

The Senator, in an email sent to journalists through his media aide, Olawale Sadare, Sunday evening, said he had remained without a political platform since his former party, Action Congress of Nigeria, merged with other political parties to form the APC.

Lanlehin and Ayoade Adeseun, another Senator, who was also elected on the platform of the ACN to represent the Oyo Central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, were absent at the state congress of the APC held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan last Saturday to elect officers for the party in the state.

The two supposed APC senators also did not take part in the nationwide membership registration of the party when it was held early in the year.

According to the statement, Lanlehin, the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is currently meeting with his political associates to guide his decision on which party to declare for soon.

Below is the full text of the statement:

LANLEHIN NOT IN APC---Aide

The media aide to Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Olawale Sadare has cleared the air on the political party membership of the lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja, saying he (Lanlehin) is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sadare, said in a statement he made available to journalists in Ibadan yesterday that the Senator had been without a party, since the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)to which he belonged became defunct, following its merger with some other political parties.

"It is time we cleared the air on the political party affiliation of Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin in view of the interest it has generated in the public space. First and foremost,it is widely known that he (Lanlehin) was elected into the Senate in 2011 through the ACN which is now  defunct. Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin did not participate in the last APC membership registration exercise and he does not have any interest in the affairs of the party," Sadare said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lanlehin who is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is currently on a state-wide consultation with relevant stake holders after which he will unfold his political plans.

"I must say that Sen. Lanlehin appreciates all those who have been giving support and showing understanding of the present political situation as our people be assured of his determination not to relent in rendering service  to his Senatorial District, Oyo State and Nigeria". The statement concluded.